Guesthouse

The Royal Hotel

Barnstaple Street, Bideford, EX39 4AE, United Kingdom – Great location - show map

After booking, all of the property’s details, including telephone and address, are provided in your booking confirmation and your account.
8.2
Very Good
948 reviews

We loveded the location, it history, its quirkiness, the staff were friendly and helpful, The Dinner menu was lovely.

Finlay United Kingdom

Great property - room very spacious - opening window for fresh air

David United Kingdom

Breakfast was very acceptable. Plenty of choice , very nicely cooked and presented

Gail United Kingdom

Hotel was great and the staff wonderful. Extremely helpful and caring. Food very good and coped with a Vegan and GF diet. Easy access and secure car park just across the narrow road.

Paul United Kingdom

Good Covid protocols in place. Room was a good size. Although due to Covid restrictions the room wasn't made up each day, we were able to request replacement items for the bathroom and also tea/coffee/milk etc. The restaurant was lovely and the food fantastic. Service from all staff was excellent.

Sue United Kingdom

I stayed for one night before getting the boat to Lundy. The hotel is in a very convenient location a few minutes' walk from the quay where the boat leaves, close to a bus stop and the shops in Bideford. It was perfect for one night - clean and comfortable, with fast wifi and efficient and friendly check-in.

Sarah United Kingdom

I had a nice clean comfortable single room. I had dinner in the bar - roast beef was exceptionally good. Breakfast the next day was one of the best I've had.

Claire United Kingdom

I liked that it was an independent, family-run hotel with its own character and a long history. I happened by Kingsley's room on the way down from my room. What a magnificent ceiling, like Grinling Gibbons in plaster. A budget hotel would have sufficed for my brief business trip but this was so much more. I will come again and also visit your other hotels in the area if I get the chance.

Philip United Kingdom

The location was perfect for us as we have been walking the SW coastal path/Tarka Trail. The Hotel was very accommodating and was not put off by our turning up with walking gear and back packs. We didn’t stay for breakfast but did have and evening meal which was lovely, just right after a days walking.

Claire United Kingdom

The location was absolutely perfect and the views when it went dark was superb with the lights along the estuary

Nigel United Kingdom
8.2
Very Good
948 reviews
  • What guests loved the most:
  • “We loveded the location, it history, its quirkiness, the staff were friendly and helpful, The Dinner menu was lovely.”
    Finlay Finlay United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • “Great property - room very spacious - opening window for fresh air”
    David David United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • “Breakfast was very acceptable. Plenty of choice , very nicely cooked and presented”
    Gail Gail United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • “Hotel was great and the staff wonderful. Extremely helpful and caring. Food very good and coped with a Vegan and GF diet. Easy access and secure car park just across the narrow road.”
    Paul Paul United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • “Good Covid protocols in place. Room was a good size. Although due to Covid restrictions the room wasn't made up each day, we were able to request replacement items for the bathroom and also...”
    Sue Sue United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • “I stayed for one night before getting the boat to Lundy. The hotel is in a very convenient location a few minutes' walk from the quay where the boat leaves, close to a bus stop and the shops in...”
    Sarah Sarah United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • “I had a nice clean comfortable single room. I had dinner in the bar - roast beef was exceptionally good. Breakfast the next day was one of the best I've had.”
    Claire Claire United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • “I liked that it was an independent, family-run hotel with its own character and a long history. I happened by Kingsley's room on the way down from my room.”
    Philip Philip United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • “The location was perfect for us as we have been walking the SW coastal path/Tarka Trail. The Hotel was very accommodating and was not put off by our turning up with walking gear and back packs.”
    Claire Claire United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • “The location was absolutely perfect and the views when it went dark was superb with the lights along the estuary”
    Nigel Nigel United Kingdom United Kingdom

Categories:

  • Staff9.1
  • Facilities8.3
  • Cleanliness8.9
  • Comfort8.7
  • Value for money8.1
  • Location8.8

You're eligible for a Genius discount at The Royal Hotel! To save at this property, all you have to do is sign in.

This historic hotel has first-class food, friendly service and a great location close to North Devon's sights, including Clovelly village and the picturesque Tarka Trail for walkers and cyclists.

The Royal Hotel is at the eastern end of ancient Bideford Bridge and close to public transportation. It is easy to explore the center of Bideford and the quayside, where you can catch a boat to Lundy Island.

The hotel is associated with the 17th-century Court of Assize and the author, Sir Charles Kingsley, who wrote parts of 'The Water Babies' and 'Westward Ho!' while staying here.

At The Royal Hotel, rooms are clean, comfortable and have 24-hour room service. One of the hotel's famous features is the oak-paneled Kingsley Room, with its ornate, sculpted ceiling.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 8.8 for a two-person trip.

The Royal Hotel has been welcoming Booking.com guests since Apr 30, 2007

Show me more

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly
Free parking
Free WiFi
Restaurant
Bar

Property Highlights

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (8.8)

Breakfast Info

Full English/Irish

Free Parking Available On Site

Loyal Customers

There are more repeat guests here than most other properties.

Saved to 441 lists

Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

Room Type
Sleeps
 
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4 reasons to choose The Royal Hotel

  • Prices you can't beat!
  • Booking is safe
  • Manage your bookings online
  • The staff speaks English

Guest reviews

8.2
Very Good · 948 reviews
Read all reviews
Categories:
  • Staff9.1
  • Facilities8.3
  • Cleanliness8.9
  • Comfort8.7
  • Value for money8.1
  • Location8.8

Select topics to read reviews:

See what guests loved the most:

  • Finlay
    United KingdomUnited Kingdom
    “We loveded the location, it history, its quirkiness, the staff were friendly and helpful, The Dinner menu was lovely.”
  • David
    United KingdomUnited Kingdom
    “Great property - room very spacious - opening window for fresh air”
  • Gail
    United KingdomUnited Kingdom
    “Breakfast was very acceptable. Plenty of choice , very nicely cooked and presented”
  • Paul
    United KingdomUnited Kingdom
    “Hotel was great and the staff wonderful. Extremely helpful and caring. Food very good and coped with a Vegan and GF diet. Easy access and secure car park just across the narrow road.”
  • Sue
    United KingdomUnited Kingdom
    “Good Covid protocols in place. Room was a good size. Although due to Covid restrictions the room wasn't made up each day, we were able to request replacement items for the bathroom and also tea/coffee/milk etc. The restaurant was lovely and the...”
  • Sarah
    United KingdomUnited Kingdom
    “I stayed for one night before getting the boat to Lundy. The hotel is in a very convenient location a few minutes' walk from the quay where the boat leaves, close to a bus stop and the shops in Bideford. It was perfect for one night - clean and...”
  • Claire
    United KingdomUnited Kingdom
    “I had a nice clean comfortable single room. I had dinner in the bar - roast beef was exceptionally good. Breakfast the next day was one of the best I've had.”
  • Philip
    United KingdomUnited Kingdom
    “I liked that it was an independent, family-run hotel with its own character and a long history. I happened by Kingsley's room on the way down from my room. What a magnificent ceiling, like Grinling Gibbons in plaster. A budget hotel would have...”
  • Claire
    United KingdomUnited Kingdom
    “The location was perfect for us as we have been walking the SW coastal path/Tarka Trail. The Hotel was very accommodating and was not put off by our turning up with walking gear and back packs. We didn’t stay for breakfast but did have and evening...”
  • Nigel
    United KingdomUnited Kingdom
    “The location was absolutely perfect and the views when it went dark was superb with the lights along the estuary”
Property questions and answers
Browse questions from guests for anything extra you want to know about the property
The property usually replies within a few days
  • Would you allow two small dogs- and if so what would be the charge and would they be allowed in the room or elsewhere?
    You may certainly bring your dogs to The Royal Hotel. We recently amended our policy so that dogs are now allowed in all room types, without charge. T...
    Answered on September 15, 2020
  • Do you have parking faciliries
    Good evening and thank you for your interest in The Royal Hotel. We do indeed have free parking for our guests and patrons. Kind regards Amanda - Rese...
    Answered on May 23, 2021
  • price for sunday lunch
    Thank you for your enquiry. Our Sunday carvery lunch is served from 12.00 - 2.30 pm and costs £11.95 for carvery only or £17.45 for carvery + sweet. B...
    Answered on November 17, 2021
  • do you allow pets one small well behave westie
    You may certainly bring your dog to The Royal Hotel. We recently amended our policy so that dogs are now allowed in all room types, without charge. Th...
    Answered on September 15, 2020
  • Do you have secure storage for ebikes?
    Dear Guest I confirm that yes we can arrange overnight storage for your e-bikes and would direct you on check-in. to the relevant area. Regards Reserv...
    Answered on August 20, 2022
  • Still looking?

Host Info

9.1
Host Review Score
With an atmosphere and character that is quite unique, parts of The Royal Hotel date back to the 17th century. The sensational Kingsley Room still has its original pine panelling and magnificent ornate ceiling. With its pretty riverside setting, the Royal makes a wonderful base from which to explore all the delights of North Devon. We are literally on the Tarka Trail making us the perfect location for walkers and cyclists or take a short walk over the bridge into Bideford to catch the MS Oldenburg to explore the National Trust's unspoilt Lundy Island. Add to this our legendary service and mouth watering cuisine and you have all the ingredients for a break that is truly memorable.
When you stay with us in Bideford, you will never be left wondering what to do or where to visit! The choice is amazing: You can catch the ferry to Lundy, a beautiful uninhabited island that shows nature at its best. Ilfracombe is a charming seaside town and the site of Damien Hirst’s Verity. The famous resort of Westward Ho! is easy to reach. You can explore the wilds of Exmoor or our stunning coastline along The South West Coast Path. Barnstaple has a lively historic town centre, while Clovelly is a stunning fishing village dating back 500 years. At Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton Sands you can experience some of the finest beaches in the country.
Language spoken: English
Area info *
Guests loved walking around the neighborhood!
Great location - show map
* All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.
1 Restaurant On Site

    The Regency Restaurant

    Open for: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Menu: À la carte

Amenities of The Royal Hotel

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly
Free parking
Free WiFi
Restaurant
Bar
Bathroom
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Private Bathroom
  • Toilet
  • Free toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Bathtub
  • Shower
Bedroom
  • Linens
Kitchen
  • Electric kettle
Room Amenities
  • Socket near the bed
Pets
Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Living Area
  • Desk
Media & Technology
  • Flat-screen TV
  • TV
Food & Drink
  • Fruit Additional charge
  • Wine/Champagne Additional charge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Kids' meals Additional charge
  • Special diet meals (on request)
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
Internet
WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.
Parking
Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
  • Accessible parking
Front Desk Services
  • Invoice provided
  • Baggage storage
  • 24-hour front desk
Entertainment & Family Services
  • Board games/Puzzles
Cleaning Services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Suit press Additional charge
  • Ironing service Additional charge
  • Laundry Additional charge
Business Facilities
  • Fax/Photocopying Additional charge
  • Meeting/Banquet facilities Additional charge
Safety & security
  • Fire extinguishers
  • CCTV outside property
  • CCTV in common areas
  • Smoke alarms
  • Security alarm
  • Key access
  • 24-hour security
  • Safe
General
  • Shared lounge/TV area
  • Designated smoking area
  • Smoke-free property
  • Wake-up service
  • Heating
  • Packed lunches
  • Elevator
  • Family rooms
  • Facilities for disabled guests
  • Ironing facilities
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Iron
  • Wake-up service/Alarm clock
  • Room service
Accessibility
  • Raised toilet
  • Toilet with grab rails
  • Wheelchair accessible
Languages Spoken
  • English
Sustainability initiatives
This property has taken steps to provide more sustainable and eco-friendly travel

House rules The Royal Hotel takes special requests – add in the next step!

Check-in

From 3:00 PM

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card at check-in

Check-out

7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cancellation/
prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.

Children & Beds

Child policies

Children of all ages are welcome.

Children 18 and above are considered adults at this property.

To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

Crib and extra bed policies

0 - 12 years
Extra bed by request
£12.50 per child, per night

Additional fees are not calculated automatically in the total cost and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

There's no capacity for cribs at this property.

The maximum number of extra beds allowed depends on the room you choose. Double-check the maximum capacity for the room you selected.

All cribs and extra beds are subject to availability.

No age restriction

There's no age requirement for check-in

Maestro Mastercard Visa American Express The Royal Hotel accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.

The fine print

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), additional safety and sanitation measures are in effect at this property.

Food and beverage services at this property may be limited or unavailable due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), this property is taking steps to protect the safety of guests and staff. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result.

Please inform The Royal Hotel of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

FAQs about The Royal Hotel

  • The Royal Hotel is 1,500 feet from the center of Bideford.

  • The Royal Hotel offers the following activities/services (charges may apply):

    • Check-in at The Royal Hotel is from 3:00 PM, and check-out is until 11:00 AM.

    • From the nearest airport, you can get to The Royal Hotel by:

      • Car 1h 10min

    • Guests staying at The Royal Hotel can enjoy a highly-rated breakfast during their stay (guest review score: 8.7).

      Breakfast option(s) include:

      • Full English/Irish

    • The Royal Hotel has 1 restaurant:

      • The Regency Restaurant

    • Room options at The Royal Hotel include:

      • Single
      • Double
      • Twin/Double
      • Twin

    • The prices at The Royal Hotel may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.