The Flying Fish, Ilminster

Official site of The Flying Fish - www.theflyingfishsomerset.co.uk

Official site of The Flying Fish - www.theflyingfishsomerset.co.uk

Feeling more like a holiday park than a boozer, this country pub has a fantastic view over surrounding countryside from both its small, unkempt garden and its large conservatory. Oddly, the conservatory has a pool table, further enhancing the holiday camp appearance, along with the new chalet style accommodation at the rear. The main bar is more traditional and feels much more welcoming. The staff are friendly, as are the various people who were a mix of paying guests (grockles, of course) and locals. Ales on were Will’s Neck, Tribute and Exmoor Ale. I had the Exmoor which was in very poor condition, hardly drinkable and badly kept. Food was a better story – basic pub grub at a reasonable price. The ale quality, which judging from previous reviews seems to be an ongoing issue, is enough to put me off coming back.

This pub offers a large conference, music / wedding barn plus accomodation which would appear to detract from what it should concentrate on - being a pub. It does attract a good quality of live music and is reknown in the area for this. I was distinctly underwhelmed by the beer on offer. St Austall Tribute was poor, Trelawny OK and Exmoor Ale was also on offer. The food is meant to be quite good and there were a few people eating. There was a good atmosphere in this pub, just a shame the beer quality didn't match.