The Oxenham Arms Hotel, South Zeal, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2JT
Welcome to The Oxenham Arms Hotel - the AA Rosette food accredited unique and famous Grade II Star Listed former Benedictine monastery steeped in over 850 years of history. Constructed in the 12th Century around the famous prehistoric South Zeal Menhir Standing Stone.
In the beautiful medieval Dartmoor village of South Zeal, only 5 minutes drive off the A30 to Cornwall, 20 minutes from Exeter or 5 minutes from the mainline Okehampton Railway station.
Open to the public 6 days a week Tuesdays until Guest checkouts on Monday mornings. for bar meals, lunches, afternoon teas, evening dinners, Sunday lunches and Sunday evenings.
Bars open all day from 12 mid-day, Food served 12-2.30PM then 6PM-8.30PM
If booking our hotel room please note we require all guests to be here or having returned here by 11.P.M due to the quiet and relaxing nature of this ancient monastic building.
For Food or Room reservations simply telephone us on 01837840244
Book a room direct with us .. Click Here To view our Menus.. Click Here
Fabulous Dartmoor walks & stunning Dartmoor views from our gardens and grounds. If you prefer to lunch or dine in a private room we can provide this on request for your groups, parties and get togethers. Most rooms have their own beamed ceilings and log fires. Alternatively join us in our bar first licenced in 1477,our Standing Stone Snug, Monastery Restaurant or large Oak Dining Room for bigger groups and functions.
Children are welcome. Overnight bike storage available onsite.
Dogs on leads are welcome in our bar and gardens (free dog biscuit on arrival ! ) but not in our hotel rooms sorry.
Visit this beautiful former Benedictine monastery, built around the prehistoric 5000 year old South Zeal Menhir Standing Stone and still in the centre our building today for you to see, touch and learn about.
The Oxenham Arms was the birthplace and home to the first documented pirate ,Captain John Oxenham 1530-1580 who for Queen Elizabeth I & Sir Frances Drake was the 1st Navigator for the English Fleet, looting Spanish gold in the seas off South America and bringing it back for the Queen.
The Pre-historic South Zeal Menhir Standing Stone
at The Oxenham Arms Hotel
Visit this ancient stone which was hand-cut by Neolithic Dartmoor people around 5000 years ago.
Menhir's or Standing Stones were the equivalents of our churches or cathedrals today. Places of worship, ceremony, and gathering. This enormous stone is solid granite, would have been cut before metal tools were invented, way up on the high moor and rolled many miles by Neolithic peoples down to its current location on tree trunks, then inserted upright into the ground.
Here it has stayed ever since pre-history. Benedictine Monks in the 12th Century built this monastery around the stone, incorporating this unique pagan monolith into the Christian religious building. Many say the stone gives off energy if you pass near it. The photograph shown is dated 1904
We are the oldest CAMRA Heritage Inn in Devon and Cornwall.
Telephone us on 01837840244 to reserve a table. Click Here for our Food and Menus Click Here
Recommended by, Visit Devon, Britains Finest, The AA Restaurant Guide, Via Michelin, Visit Dartmoor, Devon Live, Dartmoor News, The Devonshire Magazine, The Good Pub Guide, CAMRA Good Beer Guide
