The Kings Head Inn, Cheddar

Official site of The Kings Head Inn - www.kingsheadcheddar.com

Official site of The Kings Head Inn - www.kingsheadcheddar.com

This is very much a traditional local’s pub in the old part of Cheddar, well away from the throngs of tourists in the nearby Gorge. It’s an attractive looking thatched building with a couple of picnic benches out the front and a large car park. Inside it’s consists primarily of two rooms, although other areas seem to have been cobbled on to it at some point. The two original bars were broadly similar décor wise with a quarried tile floor, beamed ceiling, exposed stone walls and a large fire-place at the front. The front one had a large number of trophies on a shelf in the corner. A passage way to the rear had a number of old metal advertising signs on the wall such as Pears Soap, although going on their pristine condition I assume these were reproductions rather than originals. This led to an area that must have been outside at one time, but has had some Perspex roofing installed to make another indoor room with a couple of old leather sofas, although without any heating as far as I could ascertain so it’s going to be rather cold in the winter I would have thought. The roof covering also has the advantage that the loos are now effectively inside, instead of separate blocks at the rear as was previously the case. Beyond this was a good sized rear garden with a number of picnic benches and a kid’s slider as well as a small patio and some covered decking for the smokers. The landlady seemed friendly enough, and whilst the locals were not unfriendly, some of the language was a little colourful and it was very male dominated which may not suit everyone. It would appear that food is not offered, going on the fact that we were there on a Sunday lunchtime and there was no sign of anything then. Beers on tap were Butcombe and Bombardier. Ciders were well represented with Cheddar Valley, Thatcher’s Gold and Stowford Press.