Devon Whiddon Down
Shilstone Lodge, Whiddon Down
Independent pet-friendly review by Four Legged Guests · updated October 2026 · paw rating built from 6 verified guest reviews mentioning pets
Bring your dog if
- You want a whole-property rental - no shared lobbies or corridors to navigate with your dog
- You're basing yourself in Whiddon Down / the Devon and want a pet-friendly anchor for day trips
- The wider guest experience is strong - guests rate this 9.7/10 overall on booking platforms
Worth knowing
- Pet limits: max 1 pet - research-verified; the fee isn't published, so confirm the charge when you book
How this review was built Evidence, sources, refresh cadence
- Evidence: 6 pet-mention guest reviews sourced from major booking platforms - guests who explicitly mentioned travelling with a dog. Each review is screened for pet-relevance, then judged for sentiment to compute the paw rating.
- Not a personal visit. We don't stay at every hotel we cover - we summarise patterns from real guest reviews, paraphrased and never quoted verbatim. Full standard on our editorial policy page.
- Wider context: The property has 4 guest reviews overall across booking platforms, averaging 9.7/10 - the paw rating reflects only the pet-mentioning subset.
- Last refreshed: October 2026. Policies and pricing drift; we re-check on a rolling basis. Confirm specifics with the property at the moment you book.
- How the paw rating works: Full detail on the methodology page, including the three verification gates and known limitations.
Pet policy at a glance
- One pet per booking
Pet-friendly summary
Shilstone Lodge is a peaceful farm retreat on the edge of Dartmoor that dog owners rate very highly. The lodge has private woodland right on its doorstep, which guests with dogs say is perfect for an easy first and last walk of the day, and there is a lake close by and the open moor a short drive away for longer outings.
The hosts, Jill and John, are a big part of the appeal. Dog owners consistently mention the thoughtful welcome: water and feeding bowls set out in the hallway, treats for the dog, and a cream tea with home-made scones and fresh flowers waiting on arrival. Guests describe the lodge as spotless, beautifully decorated and well equipped, with comfy beds, good showers and a kitchen stocked well enough to cook a roast.
The location suits active dogs of all sizes, and a Bernese mountain dog has been among the happy guests. Chagford, with a good pub, is nearby, and the coast is within reach for a day out. Being on a farm, there are animals around, which children love, so keep a lead handy until you know where the livestock are.
The listing allows one pet per booking, so this is not the place for a multi-dog household. Otherwise there is little to fault, and several guests say it is the best holiday cottage they have stayed in.
For a quiet Dartmoor break with woodland walks from the door and hosts who clearly think about dogs, Shilstone Lodge earns a 4.4/5 paw rating.
Highlights from pet-mentioning reviews
What reviewers travelling with dogs consistently noted about staying here.
- Private woodland walks from the door
- Bowls and treats ready for dogs
- Warm welcome from the owners
- Farm setting on the edge of Dartmoor
- One pet per booking
About this hotel
Shilstone Lodge is a self-catering holiday lodge on a working farm near Whiddon Down, in the parish of Drewsteignton on the northern edge of Dartmoor in Devon. It has its own private woodland and a lake nearby, a well-equipped kitchen, and easy access to Chagford and the open moor.
Hotel facts
Photos
Location
Whiddon Down, TQ13 8JX