This place is a little gem, well worth the detour from Tiverton if you are passing through Devon or…read moreSomerset. The staff were really friendly and welcoming when we arrived and encouraged us to try some locally sourced ciders and gin. There were three menu options - a la carte, an extensive specials menu and a set three course weekend lunch. The food has a fine dining feel in a relaxed, casual setting. The duck two ways was a real highlight.

The UK is literally littered with country pubs, and in many cases it's sad to say, but…read moreappropriately phrased perhaps, that what they serve up as food is pretty rubbish. The phrase 'home cooked' seems to have been superceded my the concept of 'van delivered' all too often. Thankfully that's not the case at the Five Bells in Clyst Hydon. It's one of the very first places I visited when I moved to Devon many years ago, as a friend recommended it, and I've been returning ever since. It's the kind of place you turn to where you just know you won't be disappointed, a foodies rock in an otherwise tempestuous chain pub ocean. The pub's one many awards over the years, so I won't go on about how tasty the food is, but I will say that one of the nice things I've always liked about it is that they are still experimenting. Sure you can get your english staples there like steak & kidney pudding, game pate, treacle pudding, etc., but also other treats such as mediterranean tarts. The chef here is one of those increasingly rare beasts, someone who really knows what to buy and how to cook it. It's not some kind of reinvented gastro pub either - it's just a good pub with good food - why is that so hard to manage anymore? I should say they also stock a fine range of drinks, including the Otter beers, once of Devon's best breweries. Then there's the location and the pub itself. Buried deep in the heart of Devon, near some great woods (with some interesting mushrooms to hunt), wonderful gardens outside and an interior that just seems to keep on going, full of nooks and crannies, games to play, old books to read and much more. I once took a friend and his (very small) three girls for lunch there and the owners and staff didn't blink an eye. Sure they made sure we were tucked around the corner a bit but the girls didn't mind and all loved the food! If that isn't enough to tempt you then how about the fact that Clyst Hydon itself has it's very own lido just round the corner from the pub? Just check the Google map and you'll see it just next door. All in all this place is a gem. A little hard to find perhaps but if you can find it, then you deserve it. P.S. There's a two course lunch menu at £7.95 available from Monday - Thursday and Saturday. This is my favourite as I never know what I'm getting till I turn up at the pub.

Lovely gastro pub style food and drink in a cafe setting with outdoor seating right next to the…read morequayside. Fish stew, tomato / rocket salad and hake and chips were all excellent, as was the selection of locally brewed beer. Otter Brewery OPA was one of the tastiest I've had all summer. Friendly wait staff and good kids menu too. Great spot in a great location.

This is no doubt my favourite place to eat out in Totnes. Great to bring visiting friends and…read morefamily. Really cute, old pub, fireplace, great chef, friendly vibe.

Most under appreciated restaurant in Totnes. Locals and travelers agree, this place is a "must…read moredine" destination.

Absolutely brilliant day. Great fun for all ages and real value for money for a family of 5. Lots…read moreto see and do, even on a rainy day. 6 star fun for all the family.

"A-OK" just about sums this place up perfectly. The decor is very well done for a gastropub and…read moregives a very elegant vibe. The service and food quality, however, fell very short. I visited on a business dinner. The local beer at the bar was nice, but my experience went downhill from there. I ordered the cured meat board as an appetizer and the sirloin steak with chips for dinner. The board was decent, but I"m not (apparently as I learned at this time) a huge fan of cured meats. The bread, however, was delicious. My main problem came with my main course. I ordered the sirloin, medium rare. Another member of my party ordered the sirloin medium well. Both of our steaks came out cooked above medium well but not quite well done. It was literally difficult to chew, but I wasn't going to send it back during a business dinner. The chips were pretty plain, but that's typical of English chips. Overall, the highlights were the beer and the house salad that came with my meal. Its a cool looking establishment and a nice place to have a beer, but you wouldn't catch me spending my own money there.

Bickley Mill Inn is heavily bedded within the region of Ipplepen and Abbotskerswell, the restaurant…read moreis worth the trip if your in the local area, prices can be expensive and you leave with a feeling of not being very fulfilled but i would still recommend this to a passer by.

I've never been to The Half Moon before so I didn't have any expectations. I learnt from the…read morelandlord that the place had changed manager three times over the last three years and he was hoping to break that trend. He's brought a new team of chefs in with him, so I'm told. Those chefs certainly seem to be earning their money as they turned out excellent gastro pub style food. Not quite fine dining but not far off. Looking at the menu I could have chosen any of the starters or mains. I went for the goats cheese "mousse" for starters and fish from the specials board for mains. The portion of goats cheese I had was very generous (some places only give you a small amount because of cost I guess) although I felt it was a bit heavy to be a mousse. It was really nice all the same. The fish was perfectly cooked and the pommes anna was a perfect accompaniment. The pub's decor probably didn't quite match the quality of the food and I think some people will be surprised how good the food it. The was a really good range on the menu from unusual items (I'd never had samphire before) to regular items such as burgers and fish and chips. I'd definitely return and have already recommended it to friends. Check it out yelpers.

A great place to eat just outside of Taunton. I've been on an evening as well as on a Sunday for…read morelunch. They seem to be good for families, although I don't have kids and nor do I particularly like them.. So that's probably a negative for me. The evening menu was great, quite pubby with the fish and chips, burger and steak, but they threw in some nicer things like scallops with cauliflower and bacon, plaice with caper butter and something else that I didn't order... It's not too pricey, so well worth a trip if you're in Somerset. As for Sunday, it was refreshing to see a pub that actually knows what a decent Sunday lunch is. It had non-standard veg going on, like beetroot and spinach. The potatoes weren't greasy and old like we're all used to in pubs. The yorkies were awesome too. I'll go again for sure.

Fabulous 17 the century local inn. Friendly staff fabulous food , never been disappointed. Lovely…read morebuilding , original beams. Large conservatory with hanging vine from the ceiling. Plenty of seating areas to eat or just a drink. Great atmosphere in the summer or winter. A lovely open fire in the main bar when it's chilly outside. Have visited this inn many times a real favourite with all the family.

SALMON, OTTERS & DUCKS The Daily Telegraph wrote: Henry Williamson,…read moreborn in 1895, served in the trenches during the First World War. This extremely sensitive, highly strung and romantic soul never recovered from the horror and the disillusionment he experienced in Flanders. From 1921 onwards he buried himself in the little North Devon village of Georgeham, seeking an escape from inner torment by exploring and writing about the wild and unfrequented landscapes of Exmoor. Growing up in the London suburbs, I was eternally gratefully for his highly-acclaimed works 'Salar the Salmon' and 'Tarka the Otter' which would instantly transport me to my beloved North Devon, where I spent so many happy times visiting family during the summer school holidays; a real home from home. My parents went back to their original home there upon retirement and I still visit my mother there when possible. Tonight we must go the Rock at Georgeham, she announced during a recent visit, so go we did. I had a vague memory of having gone there many years ago, but vague it remained. It is essentially an old timbered pub, with a modern conservatory. Food is served in both areas and we decided to sup some Rioja in the traditional area. Photo link: http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd76/Textklick/Qype%20pix/067bf03a.jpg The menu is very convincing and even more so the specials menu, which is displayed on a board but also available in print. Photo link: http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd76/Textklick/Qype%20pix/4ac9c2a0.jpg I thought that that the 'Georgeham cured ham' sounded pleasingly alliterative, poetic or whatever, and it certainly did not disappoint. The pan roasted duck breast was sensational, although I did not take so well to the 'gooseberry tarte tatin' which was 'tarte by name and tart by nature'. I think duck really deserves something a bit sweeter, but if anything it was my fault because I chose it. La contessa and la dowager contessa were delighted with their choices. Reasonable prices, excellent food, great ambiance and also friendly staff who definitely seemed just that bit more professional than average. Do take a look at the excellent website and if you are in that neck of the woods, you will not regret visiting.

Been here a couple time and good is always first rate as is the service, totally delicious.read more

The Red Lion was recommended to us after a Facebook plea for accommodation between Bristol and…read moreStonehenge. After a visit to the impressive and informative website we booked a room for a Sunday in mid June. Our late afternoon Sunday evening arrival was greeted with sunshine and Calvin checked us in and showed us to our room, which was stunning. We weren't sure what to expect in such a tiny village but it's fair to say that no expense was spared in the fitting out of the new bedrooms block in a building separate from the main pub / restaurant. The linens were gorgeous, the bathroom spacious and the rooms well fitted with all mod cons! We had dinner in the dining room with some old friends who came over form South Petherton. They hadn't been in a while but were happy for an excuse to dine at the Red Lion as the food has a good reputation among the locals. No one was disappointed and a decent wine list and selection of real ales helped to make the evening very sociable. Breakfast was fresh and tasty and served with individually and freshly ground coffee, which was a perfect way to start a buy day of site seeing. We didn't check the wardrobe on our way out and realized when we got to Stonehenge that we had left our jackets behind. A couple of phone calls later and Calvin was on the case eventually and graciously getting our jackets to Dublin for us. All is now good in the world. We'd highly recommend the Red Lion in Babcary.

My partner and I were staying in Somerton and decided to go to the Red Lion after a spot of…read moregoogleing due to the lacklustre look of the pubs near our hotel. The Red Lion is split into two eating areas: restaurant and pub. The pub is lovely and cosy, and we chose to et here. The food is your typical gastronomic fare and we tucked into paella and the lamb shank, though the menu varies daily. Dessert was also excellent, particularly recommend the affogato. It seems to be very popular with locals in the area, and you'll see a very full car park on arrival (you have to drive due to remoteness). Listen to the owner's recommendations, he's very eccentric but obviously passionate about the food they serve.

Visit the Pilchards when the weather is fine. Actually, visit anytime coz it's a great pub but, if…read morethe weather is fine, grab your crampons and ropes and ascend the steep stairs to the Pilchard gods area. High above the harbour with fab views. If you are brave enough, go higher still. We were only in for a pint or two but seeing the food made our mouths water and we relented to prawns with an outstanding relish which I have since copied. A relish of pineapple with various other ingredients but it's the hint of finely cut chilli that hits you. A fab harbour pub, friendly service by young staff (they need to be with those stairs). TIP: watch the sea gulls, they are buggers for chips

As small local pubs go this ticks all the boxes: great beer on draught, decent pub grub with plenty…read moreof local specialities (seafood) done well, cosy old original interior and not least friendly staff. Very pleasant lunch here with my family. Everyone very satisfied. Totally unpretentious , unlike many competitors feigning gastropub status. Would love to come back for an evening g of Doom Bar...