PubBlog

Lynton:

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Nothing exceptional: beer Ok, but rather lacking in atmosphere.

Lynmouth:

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A hotel, but the bar is a traditional pub. Good beer, great food, pleasant staff.

Lynmouth:

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Pleasant traditional pub in the middle of town. Landlord was very friendly. Decent beer choice and food (though we didn’t eat).

Dunster:

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Friendly, traditional pub. decent beer, and the opportunity to the told to fuck off by a parrot (called Nelson). What’s not to like?

Washford, Watchett:

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We walked from The London Inn via an old mineral line. This pub is a roadside/railside pub- not sure how old, but I’d guess around railway time. Decent beer, friendly barmaid, near the station, and outside space for some autumn sunshine.

Watchett:

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very traditional pub on the main street. Decent beer, a friendly landlord (doesn’t this make all the difference?) and proper pub atmosphere.

Alcombe, Minehead:

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Literally within sight of our holiday cottage, this was our ‘local’ for a few days.

It’s a traditional backstreet pub- but surprisingly large- the rear is pretty much a restaurant, but other rooms are proper, traditional pub. Staff were all pleasant, decent atmosphere, good beer (3 ales on pulls, plus decent cider on tap). Food was not as good as hoped though, but that was the only disappointment.

Minehead:

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Large chain pub in the mould of Wetherspoons, but not actually one. In a rather glorious old theatre building, modern and stripped out inside. No real ale, but decent lager at least. Big screen TV, if that’s your thing, and a standard pub-food menu that seemed good value. Friendly barman.

Original Post Here

The Hussey Arms has had another refurb. As commented both in my original post and here by Brownhills Bob, it’s had many ups and downs, which is a shame.

Anyway, it’s latest incarnation is Greene King’s Hungry Horse brand, according to the site:

Hungry Horse pubs and restaurants can be found throughout the UK. All of our pubs have an enviable reputation for great value food, a friendly warm welcome (especially for families and kids), and many have facilities such as pool tables and large-screen TVs. So whether you want to watch the football, have a family meal or just enjoy a pint of IPA, Old Speckled Hen, lager or Abbot, choose a Hungry Horse – you’ll always be welcome.

Which is already sounding like mixed blessings to me. It’s not my thing, really.

My take? It’s a large, modern-decorated, Moe’s Family Feedbag type pub. There’s lots of standard pub-food type stuff at very good prices (and it was OK), and a selection of Greene King ales (based on my smaple, well kept). The staff were pleasant enough too.

It’s ‘family freindly’, which set of alarm bells, but there’s a play area to keep kids quiet(er). It was, really, OK. It’s churlish to complain about things that you should be prepared for, and the place has it’s good points. I personally reckon this incarnation might just be successful.