The Two Bridges Hotel
Dartmoor, Devon, England.
There is uncertainty about the original name of this iconic Dartmoor inn, that being whether it has always been known by the current one or, in the distant past, as The Saracen's Head. Moreover, is its title derived from its proximity to the pair of river crossings by which it stands, or the old Saxon word Tobrygge, meaning 'by the bridge'?
These are questions posed by Alex Metler in his splendid little booklet on the story of the Two Bridges Hotel entitled Air Like Champagne. It is not our intention to reproduce such a detailed account here, but instead highlight the well-known names associated with the building.
Perhaps the most notable of these connections is to one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood history. It is said that at at Hunt Ball held at the Two Bridges in 1931, a young 18-year-old called Vivien Harley met the man who would become her first husband. Though over a decade older than her, Leigh Holman and she were married the following year and soon after had a daughter together. Alas, the marriage was not to last, but she would then go on to star in films such as Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire. The hotel's link to the movie star is celebrated in the title of Room 5: The Vivien Leigh.
Given the hotel's proximity to a wealth of prehistoric features including Neolithic stone rows and Bronze Age hut circles, it is unsurprising that antiquarians such as the Reverend Sabine Baring Gould have passed through its doors. Though better known for composing hymns such as "Onward, Christian Soldiers", Baring-Gould was arguably most passionate about the ancient history of Dartmoor, frequently involving himself with excavations on its numerous sites. Other notable figures, such as the author Eden Philpotts, were regular visitors, drawn to the area in search of inspiration. It is also thought that the future King Edward VIII visited while as the Prince of Wales, this being due to his Presidency of the Devon Hunt Club in the early 1930's which met at the hotel.
Today the Two Bridges remains as popular a destination as ever for those seeking an escape into the beautiful wilds of Dartmoor National Park. It features 32 bedrooms, each individually styled and furnished, together with a fine restaurant specialising in local produce. It is also delightfully dog-friendly.
Its famous former guests would no doubt greatly approve.
See the Historic Hotels in Devon index
These are questions posed by Alex Metler in his splendid little booklet on the story of the Two Bridges Hotel entitled Air Like Champagne. It is not our intention to reproduce such a detailed account here, but instead highlight the well-known names associated with the building.
Perhaps the most notable of these connections is to one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood history. It is said that at at Hunt Ball held at the Two Bridges in 1931, a young 18-year-old called Vivien Harley met the man who would become her first husband. Though over a decade older than her, Leigh Holman and she were married the following year and soon after had a daughter together. Alas, the marriage was not to last, but she would then go on to star in films such as Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire. The hotel's link to the movie star is celebrated in the title of Room 5: The Vivien Leigh.
Given the hotel's proximity to a wealth of prehistoric features including Neolithic stone rows and Bronze Age hut circles, it is unsurprising that antiquarians such as the Reverend Sabine Baring Gould have passed through its doors. Though better known for composing hymns such as "Onward, Christian Soldiers", Baring-Gould was arguably most passionate about the ancient history of Dartmoor, frequently involving himself with excavations on its numerous sites. Other notable figures, such as the author Eden Philpotts, were regular visitors, drawn to the area in search of inspiration. It is also thought that the future King Edward VIII visited while as the Prince of Wales, this being due to his Presidency of the Devon Hunt Club in the early 1930's which met at the hotel.
Today the Two Bridges remains as popular a destination as ever for those seeking an escape into the beautiful wilds of Dartmoor National Park. It features 32 bedrooms, each individually styled and furnished, together with a fine restaurant specialising in local produce. It is also delightfully dog-friendly.
Its famous former guests would no doubt greatly approve.
See the Historic Hotels in Devon index
Online Booking and Reviews for The Two Bridges Hotel
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The Two Bridges Hotel
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