The Lord Poulett Arms, Hinton St. George

A traditional and attractive looking pub in this picture postcard village, it’s a good size internally and divided in to a number of different areas. There is also a pleasant garden at the rear, with both a large area laid to lawn as well as a smaller courtyard with attractive chippings and low hedges. A small snug is off to the left as you entered, and this looked a cosy spot with flagstones on the floor, exposed stone walls and an enormous fireplace that has been gated off and converted in to a wine cellar. With only one table in here that was laid up for food though, I do wonder if it is intended more as a private dining room than somewhere for drinkers. Similarly the large room at the front of the pub was also full of dining tables, with most of them being reserved. This was nonetheless though another very pleasant room, with dark, almost black, wooden boards on the floor and separated in two by a dual aspect, free standing chimney breast with a pile of logs ready for the colder weather. A large stone fireplace was at the opposite end, and next to this an old dresser with a collection of silver teapots and so arranged on top. A few old portraits were dotted around the walls, including, presumably, the eponymous Lord Poulett. The drinking part of the pub seems to be a smaller room at the rear, with more flagstones on the floor, another stone fireplace and a book shelves on the rear wall, and this was arguably the most characterful part of the pub, although it was all very pleasant. The menu offered a reasonably concise selection of dishes, and with most of the mains being around the £20 mark it was something of a step up from your normal pub grub, although there was also a very small “pub” menu, including fish & chips or a burger, for around £15. My Pan Seared Sea Bream with hummus, roast Romanesco and a tomato and olive dressing was really very good indeed, a very tasty dish and well cooked. An elderflower and strawberry Eton mess also went down very well. Beers on tap were their own Lord Poulett Ale, along with Citra and Original from Butcombe. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher’s Gold and the recently re-launched Taunton. Overall I thought this was a great pub, but there is perhaps quite an emphasis on good quality food, which may perhaps put off the more casual drinker.