The Plume of Feathers
A big pub that still feels super cozy, and it's got a fantastic, sunny beer garden perfect for those rare sunny days. It's tucked away in a really historic building, which just adds to its charm.
And get this, literary fans: none other than Arthur Conan Doyle himself apparently stayed in a hotel just across the road while he was busy researching The Hound of the Baskervilles! Imagine, you could be sipping your pint where the echoes of Sherlock Holmes's most famous case might still linger.
The staff are brilliant, really friendly and welcoming. Plus, they've got some cracking beers on tap. I tried their Legend Ale and Jail Ale, both from the Dartmoor Brewery, which is literally just up the road. You can't get much more local than that.
P&P
Background....
It is believed to be the oldest building in the village, likely constructed shortly after Thomas Tyrwhitt began building Tor Royal in 1785. It has continuously operated as a public house since then.
Origins: Thought to have been built around 1785, possibly for the convenience of the "little colony" Tyrwhitt was founding. It was established as "Prince's Plume Inn" in 1808 by Robert Lane, and by 1809, it became known as "The Plume of Feathers Inn."
Architectural Style: The building features stone rubble walls, slate hung and color-washed at the front, with a slate roof.1 Its "un-English appearance" is thought to be based on the builder's reminiscences of foreign places. It is a Grade II listed
building.
The original kitchen was converted into the top bar.,
An outhouse for ducks and chickens was transformed into a kitchen.,
A new kitchen opened in 1991, in what was previously a gift shop,.
The Alpine Bunkhouse was added to the rear,
The public bar was once the snug bar, separated by wooden dividing walls.
The modern map shows a substantial extension added to the rear, but the original front footprint remains largely the same.
It served as a coaching inn, providing accommodation and refreshment for travelers. In the 19th century, it was used as a prison for convicts working on the construction of Dartmoor Prison. It's a popular stop for those exploring Dartmoor and has been featured in books and films, including "The Hound of the Baskervilles" by Arthur Conan Doyle and "The Dam Busters" by Michael Anderson.4
The pub closed for a period but was bought by a new owner in 2023, with plans for extensive refurbishment to retain its character and reopen as a central hub for the village, including a bunkhouse and campsite. As of December 2023, the bar was open on a limited schedule while the kitchen underwent refurbishment, with full opening planned for Spring 2024.
The Plume of Feathers Inn is known for its traditional Dartmoor charm, with features like slate floors, wooden beams, and granite walls.5 It's also said to be haunted.
