Masons Arms, Yeovil

In the small attractive village of Lower Odcombe, situated in splendid countryside a few miles outside Yeovil, is The Masons Arms, a thatched pub that, we later learn, dates back to the 1500’s and is the oldest building in the village. It was originally 3 cottages, incorporating a cider house in one of the front parlours. Like most of the rest of the village, it’s built out of the native hamstone, which is still quarried nearby. SWFC’s recent visit to Yeovil Town F C saw me bed and breakfasting here for a couple of nights in one of the well appointed rooms in an annexe which runs down the back of one side of the pub. As we approach the pub, we are greeted with the welcome “Real Beer, Real Food, Real Pub”, which, I often find, is an encouraging start. The interior is carpeted and features some dark beams, exposed stonework and several fireplaces. There’s nothing really that immediately catches the eye and a recent framed newspaper review on one of the light cream walls which describes the interior as “radically, but not brutally modernised” hits the mark pretty well. Furniture is new and comfortable, but tastefully in keeping with the building. Reflecting the origin of 3 cottages, there’s a number of long, but narrowish adjoining areas with several former inglenooks providing additional seating. There’s little to tell me that I’m specifically in Somerset, although there’s a fine old photo showing a charabanc outing setting off from the pub in the 1940’s and several other old photos of the pub displayed. There’s an inevitable food emphasis with small candles and menus on each table, but drinkers are not actively discouraged with, on my visit, supporters from both sides exchanging good humoured post match banter. Food is not gastro pub food, but is a clear step up from normal pub grub with the inevitable de rigeur emphasis on using locally grown produce. There’s no TV’s or electronic distractions and, perhaps surprisingly, the pub closes for the afternoon each day, even at weekends and in the height of summer. As well as the B & B accommodation, there’s a small camping and caravanning site in a field behind the pub under the same ownership The landlord, Drew, a rather scruffy looking individual – even when “front of house” – operates an on site microbrewery, housed in a small room less than 20 feet away at the side of the bar, by the corridor to the guest rooms. Three real ales were on – Number 1, Roly Poly and Winters Tail. Beers, £ 3 per pint, were pretty reasonable, but not particularly memorable or distinctive. Interestingly, there’s no other external real ales served ( I might have suspected one of the usual suspects – eg Doom Bar – to be on as well, particularly given the West Country location ). I didn’t recall seeing any blackboard with tasting notes etc and I didn’t get the feeling that there was any real emphasis or attempts to promote the real ale trade, of which there didn’t appear to be much. The pub has, however, been in the CAMRA Good Beer for the last few years. It also features in Alistair Sawday’s Special Places to Stay, yet there’s a pleasing unpretentiousness and informality to the place. I enjoyed my visit here, principally because of the good value, comfortable accommodation, meals and location and I’d be more than happy to return given the package as a whole, but I’m not convinced that it’s worth a specific visit just for a pint or two.

Called in Wednesday evening and pleased to report that the microbrewery is back in action - there are three pumps on with Drew's own brews, but the Odcombe No 1 was so perfect that I stayed on it all night. The welcome and service are, as always, very friendly and efficient and the food is the normal high standard for the pub - my steak was the best I've had in ages.

Official site of the Masons Arms at Lower Odcombe, contains menus, real ale details and events list - www.masonsarmsodcombe.co.uk

Official site of the Masons Arms at Lower Odcombe, contains menus, real ale details and events list - www.masonsarmsodcombe.co.uk