The Three Horseshoes, Shepton Mallet

An attractive old stone-built pub, it’s not somewhere you’re likely to stumble across by accident being somewhat remote and accessed via a number of fairly narrow lanes, but it was nonetheless very busy on our recent mid-week lunchtime visit. Perhaps the presence of both a new Range Rover and a Porche in the car park should have hinted at their target clientele, and I believe that the executive chef is well regarded with an interest in a number of London restaurants. The pleasant garden overlooked by the church looks as though it would be a pleasant spot in the warmer weather. Internally it’s clearly been extensively and expensively renovated, but has nonetheless managed to retain a certain rustic charm. The right-hand section is presumably some sort of extension or renovation, and this was used as the dining area, although there was also food available in the bar. Décor wise it’s quite traditional as mentioned, with flagstones on the floor, whitewashed walls and a few beams on the ceiling. A chimney breast with a wood burning stove was at one end of the bar, whilst at the other what was presumably at one time a wall had been partially knocked through and another dual aspect wood burner fitted. Décor in the restaurant area was broadly similar with the addition of some inset shelving housing bottles of wine and so on, as well as a large blackboard for the day’s specials. The menu offered a decent selection of dishes, although perhaps a step or two up from your usual pub grub, with most of the main courses in the £20 - £25 range, and that’s before you’ve added any side dishes or the service charge. My Chicken & Ham Pie was a generous portion, with plenty of meat in there, but I wasn’t overkeen on the suet pastry topping, and the chips that cost an additional fiver seemed to be from the bottom of the fryer with quite a few small bits and pieces in there. Beers on tap were Otter Ale and Independence from Bristol Beer Factory, whilst the solitary cider was Kicking Goat. Overall, I was probably a little disappointed by this, but perhaps I was just unlucky with my food choice. I certainly wouldn’t object to popping in again for a beer if I was passing.

Reopened and revitalised after a few years’ closure, the pub is now a very pleasant modern business that is gastro-led but still retains the character and charm of the original building. It also does B&B, though it isn’t cheap. It’s reached through winding country lanes, btu once you get there, there is a good sized car park. Inside, the rooms are open plan, with architectural features on display including an inglenook fireplace, exposed timbers and stone floors. Food is modern, freshly cooked and very good value. The staff were very welcoming, the ambience was calm and convivial the customers rather civilised. Ales on were GFB and Otter Bitter, plus Burrow Hill cider. Craft and keg offerings were Rude Giant, Wiper and True’s Elephant, Guinness and Tarka 4 Lager. There was also an alcohol-free craft ale, Tomorrow from Wiper and True, but no-one really saw the point of that. An excellent experience and I’d be pleased to repeat it.

Official site of The Three Horseshoes - thethreehorseshoesbatcombe.co.uk

Official site of The Three Horseshoes - thethreehorseshoesbatcombe.co.uk