An old stone-built pub hidden away down a narrow lane in the apex of the junction between the A38 and A368. There are no direction signs at either end, so you would not know it was there unless someone had told you, and the pub itself is identified just by a fading sign on the gable-end.
Inside it has separate lounge and public sides, but all characterised by bare stone walls and flagged floors, contributing to a down-to-earth, rustic atmosphere. There is also a large beer garden at the rear. Up to eight real ales are served by gravity, including Draught Bass, local favourite Butcombe Bitter and their own house beer Batch Bitter brewed by Cotleigh.
Cold food is available at lunchtimes only, including sandwiches, salads and ploughman’s. A highly characterful, distinctive pub that seems to attract a number of middle-class customers from the surrounding area in a way that just would not happen in the North-West.
Fine choice. An old favourite of mine, the little unlit parlour at the very back of the pub, by the exit to the outside gents, is the best room.
ReplyDeleteI know the Crown well, it's a cracking little pub. However, I'm intrigued by your comment that it "seems to attract a number of middle-class customers from the surrounding area in a way that just would not happen in the North-West." Any idea why this should be?
ReplyDeleteI was just musing along the same lines. There's a specific type of pub - fairly down-to-earth and rustic, but making just enough concessions to the modern world - that you seem to come across in the West Country, but which is largely absent from my home territory. The Black Horse at Clapton-in-Gordano is another example, although maybe a bit smarter than the Crown, and the Hunter's Lodge on J Ward's latest blog sounds similar.
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