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Proprietors
Your Hosts, Hilary & Ernie, have been proprietors at Duchy House since 1994 and have gained a wealth of experience in looking after their guests. Ernie gained an insight into good standards of service whilst in the Royal Air Force living in Mess accommodation. Hilary has been a nurse all her working life and has been well used to looking after people throughout her career. In different ways therefore, both of them contribute to the success of Duchy House. They make a great team.
Their primary aim is to make their guests feel welcome, comfortable and well fed. All rooms are kept scrupulously clean and guests have tea and coffee making facilities provided. A comfortable TV lounge is also available for residents just wishing to relax
The House
Duchy House was built in 1888 as part of the Duchy of Cornwall Estate. It is believed to have initially been annex accommodation for the Duchy Hotel (now the High Moorland Visitor Centre). Prices in 1947 were somewhat lower than today with B&B costing only from 9 shillings (45p) per night however, heating (open fires), baths and tea cost extra! In the 1960s, Duchy House became a private home to a large family before reverting some time later to B&B accommodation. In the late 1980s/early 90s, Duchy House also offered Café facilities before becoming solely a B&B. Duchy House has seen extensive renovations over the past years and Hilary and Ernie are proud of their home and the service they offer to their guests. |
Post World War II, Duchy House was used as a hotel and guest house.
Local Attractions
Apart from the obvious attraction of Dartmoor there are many other attractions in which visitors may be interested. There is the Arts and Crafts Centre in Duchy Square (opposite the High Moorland Visitor Centre); the High Moorland Visitor Centre offers advice about local walks, flora and fauna, myths and legends (Yes – The Hound of the Baskervilles – written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the Duchy Hotel - is a myth) and there is also the Dartmoor Prison Museum.
All these venues are well worth a visit by all visitors to Princetown.Further Afield
There are many tourist attractions within easy reach of Princetown by car. National Trust properties include Buckland Abbey, Cotehele House and Lydford Gorge. Other attractions include the Garden House, Buckfast Abbey, the Miniature Pony Centre and the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. There are also 3 moorland golf courses within 20 minutes drive from Princetown. Even the Eden Project can be reached in about 90 minutes!
