The Royal & Fortescue Hotel
By the Top3Hotels editorial team. Based on Booking.com guest scores and reviews, location data and reference prices. We did not stay at this hotel. Updated 2026-10-24.
Book it if you want a central Barnstaple room close to the bus and train stations, with free parking listed and friendly staff. Light sleepers and anyone happy to pay about €6 more a night should look at our other two picks, which both scored higher.
Check prices on Booking.com ↗We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.
Sold out? See available alternatives →Who it suits and who should skip it
This is our Budget pick for Barnstaple. It is a three-star hotel with a guest score of 8.4 out of 10 from 1,649 reviews, the largest review base of the three hotels we chose here.
It suits travellers arriving by bus or train, shoppers and anyone who wants to step straight out into town. Guests describe a friendly, professional team and a warm welcome. Family rooms and free parking are listed, and our data flags it as pet friendly.
Skip it if you sleep lightly. The main complaint is noise from street activity, kitchen extractor fans and the internal lift. Skip it as well if the small saving does not matter to you, because our Best Value and Luxury picks both cost €95 and scored 8.7.
Location and getting around
The address is Boutport Street. Guests give the location a 9.2 and say it is central, close to shops and restaurants, and near the bus and train stations.
Barnstaple Castle is about 0.4 km away, roughly 5 minutes on foot as a straight-line estimate. Our data does not list other sights, so check a map for places further out.
Free parking is listed by the property. Confirm availability for your dates.
What guests say
Location and staff lead the praise. Guests like being near shops, restaurants and transport, and they mention a friendly, professional team and helpful service from arrival onwards.
Soundproofing is the clear weak spot. Reviews mention disturbance from the street, from kitchen extractor fans and from the internal lift. Room size and renovation condition have not been assessed.
Price and what you get compared with our other picks
The reference price seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults was €88.59 per night. That is 7% below the sample median of €95.00. It is not a live quote. Check today's price for your dates.
Listed facilities are a restaurant, free parking, family rooms, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Breakfast details are not confirmed in our data, so do not assume it is included.
Our Best Value pick, The Barnstaple Hotel, is a three-star with 8.7 at €95 a night. Our Luxury pick, The Park Hotel, is a four-star with 8.7, also at €95. The saving here is about €6.41 a night, which is modest. What you gain is the most central position of the three, going by guest comments.
Why it made our top 3
We compared 5 eligible properties in Barnstaple. The Royal & Fortescue had the lowest eligible reference price once the upscale choice was set aside, which is how we fill the Budget slot.
Its guest score ranked fourth of five, so it is not the top-rated choice. It earned the place through that price, a strong 9.2 location score and an unusually large base of reviews.
Before you book
Ask for a quiet room away from the street, the kitchen and the lift. Bring earplugs if you sleep lightly.
Check whether breakfast is included and, if you travel with a pet, confirm the rules and any fee. Review the cancellation terms, which have not been assessed.
Check prices on Booking.com ↗We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.
Sold out? See available alternatives →Questions travellers ask
Is The Royal & Fortescue Hotel near Barnstaple station?
Guests say it is near both the bus and train stations. We do not hold exact distances, so check a map for your route.
How much does it cost per night?
The reference price seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults was €88.59 per night. Check today's price for your dates.
Is The Royal & Fortescue Hotel noisy?
Some guests report noise from the street, kitchen extractor fans and the internal lift. Ask for a quieter room when you book.
Does the hotel have parking?
Free parking is listed by the property. Confirm availability for your dates before you arrive.
Is it worth it compared with the other Barnstaple picks?
It is about €6 a night cheaper than our other two picks, which both scored 8.7. Choose it for the central location and transport links, not for the score.