Dog Friendly Hotel Review: The Crown Hotel Lynton, North Devon
Lynton is a picturesque coastal town in the Exmoor district of North Devon, famous for its walks, rich history, and twinned relationship with its neighbour, Lynmouth. Lynton is at the top of a cliff, Lynmouth is at the bottom; connected by the highest water powered railway in the world, the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway.
Situated in the centre of Lynton, surrounded by shops and cafés that meander through little lanes, is The Crown Hotel. A pub to the locals, a hotel with great grub to the ramblers – and paradise to the dogs.
We stayed there at the end of October whilst collating our City Girl Guide to Lynton and Lynmouth, experiencing the dinner, comfy beds, hearty breakfast and perfect hospitality.
Key Info
Location: The Crown Hotel, Market Street, Lynton, EX35 6AG, UK
Room Type: Superior Double Room
Average Price: From £95 per night
Pet Fee: £10 per night (selected rooms only)
Check-in + Check-out Times: 3pm – 10:30am
Closest Transport Links: Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway (5-minute walk), Barnstaple Railway Station (40-minute drive), Exeter Airport (1-hour 30-minute drive)
Parking: Free public parking nearby (permits available from the hotel)
Bonus Points: Family-run inn with warm hospitality, freshly cooked breakfasts, locally sourced ingredients, stylishly renovated rooms, and a lively bar popular with both locals and visitors
Perfect For: Relaxed weekend breaks, walking holidays, local pub evenings, and anyone who wants a friendly, fuss-free stay right in the heart of Lynton
The Location
The Crown Hotel was perfectly situated to make the most of exploring Lynton and Lynmouth. For the eager walkers among us, I’d highly recommend a two hour round trip walking up out of Lynton to the Valley of the Rocks, venturing back via Lynmouth.
This spectacular walk encompasses coastal views, moorland, ancient woodland, rolling hills, goats, the iconic rocks, beaches and the beautiful Lyn River. You can also access the Valley of the Rocks via car.
The Dog Friendly Room
There are three standout features of our whole night’s stay at The Crown Hotel: the plump pillows, the heavy blanket and the duvet. A perfect combination of ingredients for a good night’s sleep.
The bathroom is a little dated, with a standard bath and simple overhead shower – albeit very clean. But with a renovation planned for early 2026, I’m excited to see how they develop it.
The Food and Drinks
It’s here I’d like to give a special well-earned mention to Jo and Paul, the newly appointed managers of The Crown Hotel, who had moved just 9 weeks beforehand from Essex. They made every single customer feel at home, whether they were staying the night, having a drink, or enjoying a meal with their family.
They were full of warmth, care and compassion for everyone – especially the dogs. It’s hard to run a hotel at the best of times, but running three businesses under one roof and taking on a whole team of staff in a new part of the world is a huge undertaking. And they’re doing brilliantly.
Dinner
The Crown Hotel’s menu is a selection of pub classics; a burger for me, beef bourguignon for my partner. Other choices were Steak Frites, Pork T Bone, Wild Mushroom Risotto, Vegan Massamam Curry and, of course, Fish and Chips.
As someone with a cow’s milk allergy and wheat intolerance, I was delighted to see how much choice they offered on the menu. My beef burger came with a delicious dairy free onion relish and a gluten free bun that, notably, didn’t fall apart. The burger itself was a great balance of juicy beef soaked into lettuce and a thick tomato slice. No thrills, no showing off, just a great classic burger with hot crunchy fries.
The beef bourguignon, which came with a buttery mash and cabbage, was a nostalgic hearty meal perfect for a cold autumnal evening.
The Crown Hotel also partners with St Austell Brewery, meaning that they a selection of Devon’s finest drinks to choose from. For us, this was their Proper Job IPA 0.5%, tasting just as good as its alcohol alternative.
Breakfast
Breakfast was a choice of fruit, cereals, toast, ham, cheese and a cooked menu. We both went for the vegetarian breakfast, which for me included gluten free fried bread. Food critics will note the burnt edges of the fired eggs, but to me it was indicative of the rustic English fried breakfast we all know and love.
Why you should stay at The Crown Hotel when visiting Lynton and Lynton
The Crown Hotel is the perfect place for walkers, dog lovers and fans of a good old fashioned pub. The spectacular landscape shown above is just one of many of the stunning views you can explore by foot. To be able to loop around the hills, through the Valley of the Rocks, and trek up from Lynmouth to stay in the very centre of Lynton was a truly fantastic experience. Made all the better by a pint and a smile from Jo, Paul and the team.
Find out more about their deals and offers over on their website.
Review and Photography by Pippa Moyle
Disclaimer: This experience was gifted in exchange for a review and contains affiliate links.