The New Inn, Axbridge

Stumbled on this pub half way around a lovely walk up Crook Peak, on the West Mendip Way and down through Kings Wood. Two real ales on and my Cheddar Ales Hardrock was simply superb. Aided no doubt, by sitting in the sunshine in a lovely beer garden. Delighted to see it is in the Good Beer Guide when I got home and checked. Recommended.

The New Inn was my penultimate pub in Somerset. It is conveniently located just off the A38 on the road up to the village of Cross. Most tables were reserved. Although, staff were good enough to sit me on a table near the door which was reserved for a later time. There are a number of different seating areas in various nooks and crannies, with an area for diners up a small flight of stairs. Otter Ale & Bitter are the regular beers here. Guests were Bristol Beer Factory Independence & Cheddar Piney Sleight. The pub has more of a modern feel than the White Hart in the village itself. But with a more varied beer selection, I preferred this one marginally. The car park across the road has plenty of spaces. But many spaces block others in.

Official site of The New Inn - www.newinncross.co.uk

Official site of The New Inn - www.newinncross.co.uk

A good sized, prominent pub adjacent to the A38 this seems to be much improved from my previous visit a few years back when it appeared somewhat down market and rough around the edges. The main lounge has a traditional and cosy country pub feel with carpeting throughout, black beams on the ceiling, stone fire-places at either end and a mustard and salmon colour scheme. We visited on a Sunday lunchtime and main bar area was full to capacity with diners and there was an extensive black board menu hanging above one of the fire-places. The fireplace at the other end had a large leather sofa manoeuvred in to it and a plasma hanging above, which was showing the Grand Prix. Up a few steps is what appears to be some sort of function room, and there were a couple more tables squeezed in under the stairs. There is a good sized beer garden to the side of the pub which includes a couple of kid's climbing frames and is a pleasant spot with good views of the hills towards Cheddar, although the noise from the road is a little intrusive. Beers on tap were Moles Landlord's Choice, Cornish Coaster, Otter Ale and Box Steam Brewery's Royal Box. The solitary cider was Thatcher's Gold. There was also a good choice of wines displayed on blackboards hanging above the bar.