New Year’s Eve 2025 Horn of Plenty Tavistock Devon

As we enjoyed New Year’s Eve 2024 at the Horn of Plenty (Tavistock, Devon) a 4 star Country House Hotel, we decided to book again for this year (2025).  We did leave it a bit late so there were only a couple of rooms left (one being a best room in the main house (no 3) which we plumped for.  Last year we only stayed the one night on New Year’s Eve, but this year they were offering an all inclusive 2 or 3 night stay.  We opted for the 2 night stay for the 30th and the 31st December.

 We arrived early afternoon after the short journey of about 25 miles from our house and were greeted by the Receptionist who told us there was a problem with our room. The guests who checked out this morning had pulled the curtains off the rail around one of the large windows and therefore although the room wasn’t overlooked (apart from the sheep in the field) the light would come through in the morning which we were not happy about.

We said was there any sort of discount, to be told that the owner had said as it was New Year’s Eve apart from a glass of wine there wouldn’t be any.  She did however offer us an alternative room which she took us to see which was the only room that was left which was over in the New Coach House (a deluxe room no 17). This was a short walk away from the main house and the restaurant etc but as it was dry that was not a problem.  This room was £200 cheaper and although a large room it only had a small Juliette balcony unlike the large terrace and views the original room had. We decided to go for it anyway.

Had we been offered some sort of discount on the original room we would probably have accepted it, but the fact was that to have a window without a curtain was not acceptable and was therefore not up to standard and we were not going to pay the full price with no means of shutting out daylight, particularly for the price we paid. We could not understand why a temporary solution to the lack of curtain could not have been sorted.

We unpacked and then went down to the afternoon tea/coffee and cakes that were part of the package. We were a bit surprised however that although the coffee was served to us at the table we had to wait about 5 minutes until the cakes were put on the bar where you helped yourself, by which time the coffee had gone cold. The cakes however were very nice but it would have been better if the coffee and cakes were served at the same time at the table.

So not a particularly good start to our stay and just hoped that things would get better.

We then went down and sat in the guest lounge and chatted to other guests and enjoyed a Gin and Tonic followed by some canapes before we went into the restaurant for our 3 course evening meal.

New Year’s Eve 2025 Horn of Plenty Tavistock Devon

I chose the goats cheese which came with Pickled Beetroot, Candied Walnut and Mustard Ketchup.

Steve chose the Salmon, Raita, Gaspachp (don’t know whether this was a typo by hotel) Kiwi, Cucumber, Black Pepper Lebneh

Both of which were very nice.

Mains

We both chose the Duck which came with Hoisin, Maitake, Spring Onion, Mushroom Puree.

Again very tasty.

There was a fish course of halibut (but I do not eat any sort of fish) and although Steve will eat fish he didn’t fancy the halibut.  There was a problem with this however for the guests who chose this as all of them complained that the fish was overcooked and cold. They were offered an alternative dish of pollack which they accepted.

I chose the Local Cheese Selection (I am not a sweet tooth) which came with Artisan Biscuits and Quince Chutney which was lovely. Steve chose the Bounty, which was Coconut, Pineapple Salsa, Malibu and Mizuna which he enjoyed.

This was followed by coffee and petit fours served in the lounge where again we chatted to other guests.

We woke up to a heavy frost in the surrounding fields and it was very cold so it was really quite festive.

A nice breakfast selection from the buffet and then followed by a cooked option where we went for the full Devon Breakfast which was very nice and very filling, although Steve managed to finish off by having a pain au chocolate.

We then decided to take the short drive into Tavistock town.  We had a walk through the park by the River Tavy and had a look around the shops and then stopped in the Bedford Hotel and sat in the lounge in some nice comfy chairs and enjoyed a nice cup of coffee in the warm.

We then made our way back to the Horn of Plenty. Included in the package was sandwiches and tea/coffee in the afternoon, so we made our way down to the restaurant. We were only expecting sandwiches and tea /coffee but it was a full blown afternoon tea where each of us had a stand filled with sandwiches, a very tasty sausage roll, cakes, scones, jam and cream.

As we had a 6 course gourmet meal in a few hours time, it was far too much. I managed the little finger sandwiches and the sausage roll but couldn’t eat any of the cakes. Steve managed a couple of cakes, but then the waitress said we could take what was left back to the room or take them home. We thought that was a great idea and we were given a couple of boxes to put them in which was ideal. They stayed in the fridge in the room overnight in readiness for us to enjoy them when we got home later.

After a short rest and relaxation it was time for a shower and get ready for the New Year’s Eve festivities to start.

We all had to meet at 6.00p.m for a welcome drink and a live singer to entertain us. This was followed by canapes and then we were shown to our table for the 6 course set gourmet meal to commence at 7.30 p.m. including a wine flight for each course.

We started with a share and tare artisan bread with flavoured butters which was lovely.

Brie, Date, Malt Loaf and Truffle, lovely (apologise for the photo being a bit blurred)

Paired with a White Rabbit Riesling, Rhine, Germany.

Pork Cheek, Hazlenut, Cider and Sherry which was very tasty.

Paired with Montipagano Montepulciano, Umani Ronchi, Abruzzo France.

Cod, Black Garlic, Salted Butter and Caviar which Steve enjoyed.

Now I cannot eat fish so I was served an alternative duck dish which was very pleasant.

Paired with Ermita de San Felices Rioja, Rioja, Alta Spain.

Venison, Beetroot, Vanilla, Plum very rich and tasty.

Paired with Quercus Cabernet Merlot, Primorska, Slovenia.

Chocolate, Mouse, Miso, Lebneh, very rich but tasty.

Paired with Monteagudo Pedro Ximenez, Delgado Zuleta, Adalusia, Spain.

Coffee to finish.

It was all very tasty and delicious and although the quantities were small, we were extremely full and satisfied.

Then it was balloon modelling time. Last year a basket full of balloons was put on the tables, but I had no idea how to make a model, so I did a bit of research this year as I know this was going to happen again this year. So I went on to YouTube and watched a beginners video of how to make a balloon model of a dog.

 

I actually ended up making 4 separate dogs and although all a bit out of proportion I don’t think I did a bad job and Steve was quite impressed.

Here is a video that Steve took of me trying to make a balloon model of a dog.  I had no idea he was dong this, but here is the proof of my concentration and determination to do a good job!!

Then it was on to the recorded disco music and every one got up and had a dance.

Then just before midnight we all had a glass of fizz to welcome the New Year.

Then everyone gathered around for Auld Lang Syne. Then it was wrap up warm for sparklers around the outside fountain.

That was 2026 welcomed in.

Down to breakfast, although we were still quite full from last night, but Steve managed a full Devon breakfast and I opted for some bacon and scrambled egg and some toast.

Then it was time to say or goodbye’s to other guests then the short journey home.

After a bit of a disappointing start with the room it ended up being a very good couple of days that we thoroughly enjoyed and a lovely way to see out 2025 and welcome in 2026.