The Black Horse, Taunton

A former coaching inn dating from the 19th Century, still offering accommodation but much more downmarket than its origins would imply. The downstairs rooms have been knocked through into a single sort-of-L-shaped bar at the front, while a separate room at the back containing a pool table and gaming machines. The bar has a dartboard and a tv screen, though the latter was only showing adverts for junk food when we were there. The atmosphere is noisy, both from the annoying jukebox and the inane waffling of the regulars, most of whom were taking a break from watching their mates on Jeremy Kyle and were not very welcoming. The décor is basic, robust and battered, with a repro Victorian fireplace to add a touch of character. There is a small aquarium in one corner, the captive tropical fish providing a level of intellectual conversation not available from the human customers. We had obviously come at a good time, as Bob Os describes, below. Various posters decrying drug use and saying they wouldn't sell snakebite indicate what the nocturnal custom usually brings in. Two pumps on the bar were dispensing Doombar and something of uncertain origin clipped Black Horse Bitter. The Doombar was not well kept but was tolerable. Not somewhere to which I would gallop back.

Official site of The Black Horse - www.blackhorsetaunton.co.uk

Official site of The Black Horse - www.blackhorsetaunton.co.uk