Coach & Horses, Bideford

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Steve of N21 left this review about Coach & Horses

The Coach & Horses was the nearest pub to our holiday cottage for a stay in North Devon and we really came up trumps with this one, visiting three times over the week we were there.
Originally built in the 13th Century, the Coach and Horses was once a busy coaching house on the old thoroughfare from Bideford to Holsworthy. In the 17th Century it is reputed that the inn was used as a court room, the cellars as a gaol and an execution drop was situated in the main bar.
Now it is a solid village pub well supported by the local community and transient tourists alike.
Internally the thatched two-storey inn still retains its low beamed ceilings and olde worlde charm.
You enter onto the smallish bar serving area which can get very busy with the locals socialising in the evening, but they always moved out the way to allow you to be served. This main bar area has comfortable seating, a handsome antique settle and a wood burning stove in a big stone inglenook. There is then a separate long thin room set for dining to the back left and then a little back room to the right which has darts and pool –Then out front there is a small cobbled area alongside a colourful sunny garden with tables for eating and drinking al-fresco.
The pub is deservedly popular for its extensive evening food menu and all the meals we had there were very good indeed. The prices are nearer towards restaurant level rather than standard pub grub but this is more than justified by the quality and quantity and good efficient service that we experienced.
Another positive is the beer and the Landlord keeps three real ales on the go. And as well as the usual Doombar and Otter Ale to be found round these part, he keeps Forge Litehouse, a really pleasant blonde summer ale from the local Forge Microbrewery, and a local cider
So a characterful pub with well kept ales and excellent food and I strongly recommend traversing some of the local narrow country lanes to search it out.

On 23^rd July 2012 - rating: 8
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