Halfway House, Langport

If you were to define a typical English country pub this would be it. Yes it attracts weekenders parking their 4x4s over the car park and road, but it also serves as a local as well. As you enter the front door is plastered with all its awards, including CAMRA National pub of the Year in the 1996, it hasn't changed much since then but why would it need to? As you enter the servery is straight in front, a rectangular protrusion into the room. A blackboard above the rear opening into the servery lists the real ales on - 8 in total. 2 from Teignworthy, 2 from Otter, Hop Back Summer Lightening, Glastonbury Spring Loaded, Cheddar Totty Pot Porter and Titanic Iceberg. Never have had a bad one yet. You have to ask for lager as there isn't any on show. On an evening the only source of light are the log fires, some low level wall lamps and candles which add to the atmosphere. Food is excellent as well.

Visited for the first time this weekend as the Halfway House has just been voted Somerset CAMRA pub of the year for 2011. Was not disappointed. Proper old fashioned pub with wooden benches, stone floors, log fires, beer and thats about it. My other half commented that it was noisy, but the noise was conversation, people talking rather than tvs, music and fruit machines, the sign of a good pub I told her. 8 real ales on offer staright from the barrels which are stored in a cellar, back room rather than sitting in the warm bar. The Exmoor Fox and Cheddar Tooty Pot Porter were excellent and reasonably priced. The only negative is the Hooray Henrys, all green wellies, flat caps and range rovers I'm afraid. They clutter up the bar and doorways and won't let you by; it's very rude.

Official site of the Halfway House, includes beer details and menu - www.thehalfwayhouse.co.uk

Official site of the Halfway House, includes beer details and menu - www.thehalfwayhouse.co.uk

Brillant traditional freehouse good beer and food. Somerset CAMRA pub of the year 2008 has also won this award in 1997,2001,2003 and National CAMRA pub of the year 1996