The Cat Head Inn, Stoke-Sub-Hamdon

Official site of The Cat Head Inn - www.thecathead.co.uk

Official site of The Cat Head Inn - www.thecathead.co.uk

A 15th Century village pub built from hamstone from the nearby Ham Hill Quarry. There is a pleasant lawned garden with benches and tables, and pleasant views over the surrounding countryside, while parking is on the road at the front and is limited. Inside, the single large bar is formed from the front rooms of the original building. There is a large stone fireplace with a woodburner at one end. The majority of the space was used for dining tables, several of which were reserved, while the limited number of bar stools were occupied by locals who stared at us when we came in. The barman though was very friendly, and we did indeed feel welcome there. Food was upmarket pub food, not quite gastro. There were two ales on, Butcombes and Doombar, both in good condition, and there were 3 real ciders on as well. This was a very enjoyable visit, well worth repeating. =^..^=

Good modernised country village pub (although I preferred the old Cat Head when it had uneven flag floors, a tap room and was run by the two old sisters). Worth calling in if passing as beer kept OK but I didn't try the food. I called in mid-week lunchtime and it was a bit quiet - well, actually I was the only customer! Above average.