The Kings Head Inn, Cheddar

An interesting old building which stretches back much further than suspected through a jumble of rooms to a covered courtyard and a garden beyond. The horrendously loud music in the front bar proclaims this to be Cheddar's village local, with a boisterous welcome from landlord and customers to any strangers upon entry. The back bar, which has a serving hatch, inglenook fireplace, table skittles and two incongruous slot machines, is a comparative haven of peace inhabited by a charming ginger kitten. (Visit soon before it becomes a tom.) Two hand pumps were serving Butcombe Bitter and another from Wells - that's Charles Wells of Bedford, not the nearby small city. Like the Gardeners Arms just along the road, the Kings Head is in the old village part of Cheddar, away from the tourist area, but is well worth seeking out.