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Sampsons Farm, Restaurant & Rooms – reviews, photos

Preston, PQ12 3PP, England
Hotel amenities
Sampsons Farm, Restaurant & Rooms
Ranked #1 of 6 hotels in Newton Abbot
4.5 of 5 stars 88 Reviews
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88 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    56
    19
    7
    5
    1
Date Rating
UK
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
“Very disappointing Pent House, drab, and dilapidated furniture”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 February 2012

The majority of visitors to Sampsons Farm appear to love the place according to Trip Advisor. We can only comment on the Pent House Suite which is in outbuildings in the farm yard. A flyer we received said "For a special treat we have a luxurious suite..." Well, the furnishings are mismatched, dilapidated and the carpet worn and dirty. One plus was that the heating in our Pent House was belting out day and night on the coldest few days of the winter, which kept us from moving on or confrontation with the owners, as it was my husband's birthday and we didn't want any hassle. Was Sampsons Farm the inspiration for the stories of the Larkins in the Darling Buds of May by H.E. Bates? We were enticed to Sampsons Farm by it's brilliant self promotion, advertising, blogs, details of the owner's colourful artist wife Sarah Bell, and visits from people in high places - the Queen's Chaplin no less. Sarah Bell the owner's wife, lives up to expectations and is a startlingly pretty lady dressed very artistically with a signature 1950's bandana wrapped around her head. There the illusion created by the advertising blurb ends. If you have energetic children, or dogs with muddy paws, and you like lots of ducks, chickens and so on, you will love this place and have no fear of your children trashing the furniture or muddying the carpets - no-one will notice! One plus- the Restaurant - My husband thought the dinners in the restaurant in the farmhouse were good. One guest wrote in Trip Advisor in Oct 2011 that the rooms in the main farmhouse had dilapidated furniture and Nigel Bell the Proprietor replied and said rooms were to be refurbished during this winter. There was no sign of this during our stay. Come on Nigel Bell, when will the refurbishment begin! You are charging plenty for a suite very like guest houses in the bad old days of the 1950's! Not really acceptable in the twenty-first century.

  • Stayed February 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Sussex about Sampsons Farm, Restaurant & Rooms
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Southampton, United Kingdom
1 review
“Lovely relaxing stay”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 February 2012

We stayed at Sampsons for two nights recently and did not want to leave, it was so comfortable and charming. We were well looked after, nothing was too much trouble. Lovely comfortable bed, delicious food and homely surroundings with log fires. All the staff were polite and helpful we cannot praise it enough. Good luck to Nigel and his family and staff.

Room Tip: We stayed in Room 3 which was excellent.
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Jacqui W about Sampsons Farm, Restaurant & Rooms
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Wiltshire
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
“A very welcoming hotel in rural South Devon”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 January 2012

I have just returned from a day's shooting in Devon and I have to say that we discovered a little gem near Newton Abbot, where we stayed on Friday night.
The hotel is small and full of charatcer with four buildings set around the main house which is thatched and full of charm and original features. The rooms were extremely comfortable and the Penthouse suites have masses of space and there are lovely views of Dartmoor from the balcony. The owner, Nigel, and his small staff were absolutely charming and could not have helped us more.
As we were a party of 16 we had our own dining room for dinner which was delicious and served without any fuss or confusion! Breakfast the next day was again another success and as we were on a tight deadline delivered on time and absolutel;y spot on in every way.
I could not recommend a hotel more highly if you want friendly staff, a comfortable environment full of character, and delicious food, we are all looking forward to next year!

Room Tip: go for the suite.
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled with friends
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask WilliamWiltshire about Sampsons Farm, Restaurant & Rooms
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Watford, United Kingdom
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Excellent hosts and excellent accomodation”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 January 2012
1
person found this review helpful

We made a late booking for one nights stay to pick up a puppy in Newton Abbot on the Sunday morning. Arrived Saturday evening and although the restaurant was closed we were offered several alternatives in relation to food and in the end we settled for home made soup and bread which was exceptionally good. After tea and coffee in the lounge we retired to our room in the converted stable block. The room was certainly large enough for the two of us and we both slept very well. The room and bathroom were exeptionally clean. Breakfast was brilliant with a large choice of "starters" followed by the traditional "full english" There was also an option to build you own breakfast of poacked eggs, omelettes, bacon and sausages etc, plenty of tea and toast. Overall 10 out of 10. Very pleasant hosts who could not have been mor helpful. I would definatly recommend this hotel to anyone staying in this area.

Room Tip: In busy times it may be quieter to have a first floor room.
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Colin009 about Sampsons Farm, Restaurant & Rooms
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
UK
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
“A great place to stay”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 January 2012

As we run our own businesses- we cant always book well in advance.
Late booking here was literally a piece of cake (and you should try the cake with afternoon tea!)
We stayed with our 2 small dogs between Christmas and over New Year
Its fab!
The relaxed atmosphere yet wonderfull service throughout was beyond expectations
Mike and Emma looked after us very well at breakfast and dinner and Nigel could not have been more helpfull
The food at all meals was superbly cooked and well presented.
After a typical feast at Christmas we wanted to vary the choice and this was not a problem.
A pint of local brew in front of the fire before dinner could not be beaten

We had the Penthouse- with the balcony- stacks of room and very clean.
Facilities in the room from the heating to the visio- audio TV/CD/DVD were very welcoming and when it rained provided a very comfortable bolt hole.
With the surrounding area- river walks and access to dartmoor, I am not sure who had the best break- us or the dogs
Regardless and to quote Swatzenegger "I will return"

Room Tip: Pay a little extra for the Penthouse-its worth it
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  • Stayed December 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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Additional Information about Sampsons Farm, Restaurant & Rooms

  • Hotel Sampsons Farm Country
Address: Preston, PQ12 3PP, England
Price range (per night):* INR1,505 - 7,802

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