The White Hart, Axbridge

A cosy old country pub nestled in amongst a row of terraced cottages, it must lose a lot of passing trade to it’s somewhat brasher neighbour a few doors down which is clearly visible from the main A38. This is well worth taking the short detour for though. Inside it’s mostly exposed stone walls with a low, beamed ceiling and plenty of pub ornaments around the place. On a recent visit in early January they still had all the Christmas decorations up which added a pleasant ambience to the pub, with strings of fairly lights in the windows and a large Father Christmas in the fire place. The central bar has some unusual copper cladding running around the top, and plenty of glass tankards hanging up above. The other bar, to the right as you go in, has a pool table, darts board and a TV up in the corner. There was a shove ha’penny game in progress when we visited, and from the sound of it a skittles match going on elsewhere in the pub. The couple behind the bar were very friendly and although we didn’t eat on this occasion we have done previously and found it to be good value and pleasant as far as I recall. The only letdown was perhaps the choice of beers on offer. In spite of four hand pumps on the bar, only one was in use dispensing Doom Bar. The solitary cider was Thatcher’s Gold. Overall though, this is a proper old country pub and well worth a visit.