The Belmont

Dogfriendly Magazine Review

Read our comprehensive review of this listing printed in our bi-monthly magazine.

The Belmont, Torquay
By Vicky Kaderbhai

To say that The Belmont in Torquay is dog friendly would be an understatement. From the doggy box of towels by the front door to the canine corner in reception which contains everything you might need, including treats, toys and a water barrel, Abi and Andy, the Belmont’s owners have really made it a home away from home for your furry pals.   Known as the English Riviera, Torquay is on the Devon coast and The Belmont is only a five minute walk from the seafront. 

We got settled in quickly, thanks to the fact that there were already dog beds and bowls waiting for us in the room. We treated ourselves to the snacks we found in the room and took some of the ones supplied for the dogs to treat them with on walks. 

Abi sent us a list of dog friendly restaurants we could check out for our Friday night meal, so we took a walk down to the front and explored the area whilst enjoying the sea view. The walk along the front is so beautiful and calming and the weather at the end of September was so warm!

Seeing that one of Abi’s suggestions, the Visto Lounge, was on Abbey Crescent on the seafront, we knew it was the place for us. They’re dog friendly, have a great menu and we got to watch the sunset over the water as we ate our dinner. It was the most wonderful introduction to Torquay and got us excited for our weekend on the English Riviera. 

After dinner it was time to walk off our food and we headed to a park we had spotted on our way down. Abbey Park sits on the sea front and was a great place to let the dogs have a good sniff while we checked out the Italian Gardens where we relaxed whilst watching some ducks swim about in the pond. We could see that there were tennis courts, pitch and putt, mini golf, a cafe and gorgeously maintained gardens. Abbey Park looks like it has something for everyone looking for an active getaway in Torquay.

We were travelling with a fifteen-month-old so even though it wasn’t particularly late, it was time for us to head back to the B&B. Dog beds, bowls, blankets and treats are all supplied so our two were more than happy to settle in for the night while we got our little girl ready for bed. We brought our own travel cot with us but didn’t need to as the B&B had one that we could use. There was also a fridge in the room, which came in really handy for our daughter’s morning milk. 

Saturday morning started off with breakfast, not only are the dogs allowed in the dining room but there were also bowls of sausages ready for them to sample. It was a really lovely touch and also great for keeping the dogs happy while we enjoyed our own delicious Full English breakfast. 

We decided to visit Dartmoor National Park and after checking out The Belmont’s website and the places Andy and Abi recommended, we set off for Venford Resrvoir. It was a forty-minute car ride that gave us the chance to experience the beauty of the national park. We parked at the Holne Moor car park near the reservoir and headed on over. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get too close to the reservoir as they had closed off access due to log burning. However, this wasn’t an issue as there was still so much else to explore in the area. Dogs must be on leads no longer than 2m between 1 March and 31st July and at other times should be under effective control (Dartmoor National Park).

After Venford Reservoir we were starting to feel hungry so we headed over to Haytor and parked at the car park attached to the visitor centre. The Tinpickle and Rhum is a five-minute walk through the gate at the side of the visitor centre. They’re dog friendly and provide water bowls and a corner dedicated to treats for dogs. The service was warm and friendly, and the food was delicious. As a bonus note for anyone who has an electric car, The Haytor visitor centre has two charging points available for use. 

Once we were finished with lunch, we were ready to tackle Haytor Rocks. If you’re heading there in Autumn like we did I recommend sturdy shoes as the base was a little water logged. Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Golden Retriever Mix both handled the walk up brilliantly. We stopped a couple of times to admire the view, and a chance to catch our breath, which was more for me than for the dogs. We encountered cows on the way up, who were lovely and laid back and not at all interested in us. However, we did keep our dogs on the lead the entire time as cows aren’t the usual thing we encounter on walks and I couldn’t be sure of their reaction. 

The views from the top are wonderful and the ground is large enough and flat enough that while the dogs scrambled over Haytor Rocks, I was able to let our toddler have a good wander without fear of her falling. 

On the drive back to Torquay we managed to spot some of the famous Dartmoor ponies, which was just the best end to our day out. 

Back in Torquay after such a wonderful day our fifteen-month-old was ready for bed and we didn’t have much more energy left than her, so we decided to order a takeaway, yet another area that The Belmont have thought about. They leave the things they think you might need, including plates and cutlery in the foyer to eat your takeaway on. It’s the little touches like this that really make this B&B stand out. 

Sunday came around all too quickly. We wanted to make the most of our last day in Devon so we got up well before breakfast and took the dogs for a walk. We headed for Torre Abbey, even though dogs aren’t allowed, Abbey park runs down the side of it and we entered via a very cool little gate in the wall. At that time of the morning we got to have it all to ourselves, the dogs were in their element chasing squirrels up trees and exploring the bushes that lined the path. We came across a great bit of history, a barn built by monks in 1196, which was later used to hold prisoners of war from the Spanish Armada in 1588.

The walk way links up with the rest of Abbey Park and we enjoyed getting to look out at the sea one last time on our trip. 

We were sad to say goodbye to Abi and Andy and The Belmont as they provided us with the loveliest weekend away. 

However, our time in Devon wasn’t over just yet as we decided to stop off at Exeter on the way home. It’s only a half hour drive from Torqay and has some really great shopping, so if you’re in Torquay and looking for some retail therapy or want to check out Exeter Cathedral I would highly recommend going. The main shopping area is only a few minutes from the cathedral and there are plenty of places to eat from pubs to cafes and restaurants. 

Whether you’re booked for a weekend or longer, I would highly recommend checking out The Belmont’s website, their dog friendly page is jam-packed with info on dog friendly beaches, attractions and places to eat. And their Around and About in Torbay page offers up a whole host of places to visit during your stay, so you certainly won’t be short of things to do. 

The Belmont, review by Vicky Kaderbhai will appear in future edition of DogFriendly magazine issue.  For more information on the DogFriendly magazine visit https://www.dogfriendly.co.uk/magazine