The Wyndham Arms, Martock

A traditional and attractive looking stone built pub in a slightly out of the way location, as the previous reviewer has mentioned the reception was a little frosty which perhaps spoilt the very pleasant ambience that the pub would otherwise project. Internally it consists of a couple of interconnected rooms, quite traditional in style. The rear room had old patterned carpet on the floor and predominantly aqua blue paintwork on the plastered and wood panelled walls, although there were also some small areas of exposed stonework. A number of black and white drawings were on the walls as well as a guitar, bunches of hops were string from the ceiling and an old leather sofa was at one end. The slightly smaller room at the front opposite the bar was broadly similar in terms of style with a large stone fireplace, flagstone floor, a grandfather clock, some bunting and a few pewter tankards hanging from the beams, as well as earthenware jugs and pots on the mantlepiece. Beers on tap were dispensed from barrels racked up on stillage at the end of the bar and on this occasion were both from Glastonbury with their Mystery Tour and Love Monkey. That said, we were there on a Tuesday afternoon, and a chalkboard also listed something from Butcombe and Fine Tuned. Ciders seem to be the star of the show here though, with Gold and Dry from Thatcher’s on keg, along with an extensive selection served directly from boxes behind the bar which included Bere Gold Rush, Perry’s Vintage and Barn Owl, Hecks Slack Ma Girdle, Tricky UFO, Harry’s Haymaker and Scrummage, Bray’s Farmhouse, Perrett Harry Masters’ Jersey, Stan’s Cheddar Valley, Loader’s Craft, Burrow Hill, Sheppy’s Farmhouse and Rhubarb and Mango from Lilley’s. A quite exceptional selection. Overall, a lovely old pub, but a mark knocked off for the welcome unfortunately.

Facebook page of The Wyndham Arms - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Wyndham Arms - www.facebook.com

A beautiful building that not many years ago was one of the most popular pubs in the area, unfortunately now the current owners haven’t quite got to grips with the ‘village pub’ concept. The only available menu is Tapas and although very nice it hasn’t changed in the last 12 months, & no children’s menu at all. The warm welcome from previous owners has sadly gone unless you’re fortunate enough to have one of the cheerful bar staff to greet you. The landlady definitely is not a people person, and has a very prickly and unfriendly way about her. The toilets here are abysmal! The ladies toilet seat is a complete liability and my husband said that the gents was very ‘aromatic’ in a bad way. The real ales on offer are usually very good and kept in fabulous condition. All in all a wonderful building in a lovely village setting but in my opinion needs new owners that understand village life a little more than the current ones do.