Hare

Interestingly decorated Edwardian pub with a fine choice of drinks and popular food

This Edwardian roadside pub is well run and relaxed with a friendly welcome from the helpful young landlord and his efficient staff. The front bar tends to be where drinkers gather and the knocked-through interior has big windows and high ceilings that give a spacious feel. Décor, more or less in period with the building, runs from dark-painted dados below light walls, 1930s oak furniture, and turkish-style carpets on stained wooden floors to old romantic pastels, and a huge collection of chamber-pots hanging from beams. Interesting old books, pictures and two huge mahogany mirror-backed display cabinets crowd the walls of the big room at the back, which has lots of large tables (one big enough for at least a dozen) on a light brown carpet. Greene King IPA, Abbot and Old Speckled Hen and guests such as Bath Ales Gem Bitter, Holdens Golden Glow, and St Austell Tribute on handpump, over 100 whiskies, up to 30 wines by the glass, and a fine choice of vodkas and other spirits. French windows open on to a big terrace with picnic-sets and pleasant views of the tree-ringed village green. Parking is limited.

Good, popular bar food includes sandwiches, ploughman's, tasty moules marinieres, ham hock, cider and apple terrine with fruit chutney, crab and ginger wonton with teriyaki dipping sauce, beetroot and mascarpone risotto with crumbled wensleydale, home-cooked ham and eggs, venison burger with pepper sauce, salmon, smoked haddock and dill fishcakes, local sausages and mash, chicken and bacon pie topped with horseradish mash, pork belly with caramel sauce, glazed pear and mustard mash, and puddings like chocolate hazelnut meringue roulade and pear and almond tart.