The Blue Ball Inn, Taunton

Bar is set in a loft-style upper level and is a little spartan, with the attention being given over more to the dining side of things, something for which the pub has seemingly won awards and I did like the touch of having their local suppliers listed above the bar. Beer was fine, Cotleigh had just run out when I arrived but the Otter was good, as was the strong cider. Extraordinary countryside view from window at far end of adjacent dining room, large multi-tiered garden outside and very welcoming to dogs, but somehow the bar fails to pull off the rustic feel one would expect out here.

Visited on Sunday lunchtime after a walk up the hill to the Triscombe Stone and back. Very different barn-conversion-type pub that seems to concentrate on food but keep a selction of good real ales instead. MacOtter (otter Ale), Dartmoor Legend and another with the pump clip turned round (would'nt be surpreised if it was the ever-present Doom Bar). The Legend was finebut, as usual with pubs in this area, some variation in the ales on offer would be nice . You enter the front door and ascend the stairs to the main bar and restaurant (via a stair-lift if you need to!!. There is a second entrance round the back directly into the garden and the bar. Plenty of diners, it seemed very popular. Very pleasant, I will visit again