Arlington Court is a National Trust estate near Kentisbury in North Devon, drawing families with its carriage museum, bat colony roost, and woodland walks across around 3,500 acres of grounds. Most hotels close enough to use it as a day-trip base sit in and around Barnstaple - the area's main market town - or along the North Devon coast, putting guests within easy driving reach of the estate while keeping access to restaurants and transport links. This guide covers 8 family-friendly options across the area, from town-centre hotels with leisure facilities to coastal B&Bs directly on the South West Coast Path.
What It's Like Staying Near Arlington Court
Arlington Court itself sits in a quiet rural lane in Kentisbury, with no hotels directly on the estate - the closest family-friendly accommodation clusters in Barnstaple, around 8 miles south, or along the coast near Combe Martin and Ilfracombe. This means most stays involve a short drive to the estate rather than walking access, but the trade-off is genuine: Barnstaple gives families a proper base with supermarkets, restaurants, and onward transport, while coastal options in Combe Martin place you inside the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The A39 connects Barnstaple to Arlington Court in under 20 minutes, and the surrounding area also puts families within reach of Exmoor National Park, the South West Coast Path, and the beaches at Westward Ho! and Croyde.
Pros:
- Arlington Court suits a half-day visit, leaving afternoons free for coastal beaches or Exmoor
- Barnstaple-based hotels give families access to the Pannier Market, shops, and rail connections to Exeter
- Coastal positioning near Combe Martin puts families directly on walking trails and minutes from the beach
Cons:
- No walkable accommodation exists at Arlington Court itself - a car is essential
- Rural roads around Kentisbury are narrow, which can be stressful with child passengers
- High summer demand across North Devon means family rooms at good-value hotels book out quickly
Why Choose Family-Friendly Hotels Near Arlington Court
Family-friendly hotels in this part of North Devon are not simply hotels that tolerate children - the better options include dedicated family rooms sleeping four or more, on-site breakfast service, free parking (essential given the rural geography), and leisure facilities like pools that keep younger guests occupied on rain days. Free private parking is a non-negotiable feature given that virtually every trip to Arlington Court, the coast, or Exmoor requires a vehicle. Compared to self-catering cottages, which dominate the North Devon accommodation market, these hotels offer the convenience of daily breakfast and no check-out cleaning responsibilities - a meaningful difference on a multi-site itinerary across the estate, beaches, and national park.
Pros:
- Family rooms and on-site breakfast remove the daily logistical load of self-catering
- Hotels with leisure pools provide a reliable wet-weather backup in a region where rain is frequent
- Town-centre hotels in Barnstaple offer walkable access to restaurants, reducing evening driving
Cons:
- Family room premiums can run around 30% above standard double rates in peak summer weeks
- Coastal hotels with sea views fill first, often requiring booking 8 or more weeks ahead in July and August
- Some smaller B&B-style properties lack the space and noise tolerance suited to families with young children
Practical Booking & Area Strategy
For families using Arlington Court as their primary attraction, Barnstaple is the most practical base - hotels on or near Boutport Street and the riverfront along the Taw put guests within a 20-minute drive of the estate and walking distance of the town's rail station (served by the Tarka Line to Exeter). The Imperial Hotel's riverside position and The Royal & Fortescue's spot near the Pannier Market represent the two strongest town-centre anchors. For families who want coast access alongside Arlington Court, the Combe Martin corridor - specifically properties near Combe Martin Beach and Newberry Valley - places guests on the South West Coast Path with Exmoor's boundary just 800 metres away. Sandy Cove Hotel near Ilfracombe offers a private beach and thermal suite, which justifies the slightly longer drive to Arlington Court. Book family rooms before June if visiting in the school summer holidays; North Devon's limited hotel stock means availability collapses quickly once term ends across England and Wales.
Best Value Family Stays
These properties deliver solid family practicality - free parking, breakfast included, and family rooms - at accessible price points, making them the sensible first choice for multi-night stays near Arlington Court.
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1. Yeo Dale Hotel
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 22:00Check-outuntil 10:00Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
from£ 54
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2. Saffron House
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Check-infrom 15:30 until 19:00Check-outuntil 10:00Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
from£ 97
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3. Newberry Beach Lodge
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Check-infrom 16:00 until 21:00Check-outfrom 06:00 until 10:00Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
from£ 97
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4. The Fox And Goose
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Check-infrom 14:00 until 23:00Check-outfrom 08:00 until 10:00Hurry – almost gone at this price!
from£ 125
Best Premium Family Stays
These hotels offer enhanced facilities - leisure pools, full-service restaurants, coastal settings, or 4-star amenities - suited to families seeking more than a functional overnight stay near Arlington Court.
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5. The Royal & Fortescue Hotel
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 23:59Check-outfrom 07:00 until 11:00Hurry – almost gone at this price!
from£ 67
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6. The Park Hotel
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 23:59Check-outfrom 05:00 until 11:00Hurry – almost gone at this price!
from£ 84
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3. The Imperial Hotel
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 23:59Check-outfrom 07:00 until 11:00Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
from£ 88
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4. Sandy Cove Hotel
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Check-infrom 16:00 until 23:59Check-outfrom 08:00 until 11:00Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
from£ 201
Smart Travel & Timing Advice
North Devon's visitor season concentrates heavily in July and August, when UK school summer holidays drive occupancy at family-friendly hotels above 90% in the better properties. Arlington Court itself experiences its highest footfall during this same window, with the bat colony roost events in August particularly popular and often requiring timed tickets booked weeks ahead. Late May and September offer the strongest value for families - the estate and coastal areas are quieter, prices step back noticeably from peak rates, and the weather remains reliable enough for outdoor activities. A stay of 3 nights is the practical minimum for families wanting to cover Arlington Court, a coastal beach, and Exmoor without feeling rushed - 4 or 5 nights allows a more relaxed pace with a day trip to Clovelly or Lynton and Lynmouth included. Book family rooms by early April for any July or August travel - the category sells out first at every property in this selection, and last-minute availability in peak weeks is genuinely scarce across North Devon.
