The Carew Arms, Taunton

My first visit since stopping here for refreshment on my cycle ride from John O'Groats to Lands End. This was 19 years ago, so no pub photos or reviews from me back then. I didn't have any food with me, having missed the shops on the way past Taunton on my longest day of cycling, so I was made an honorary member of the pub's petanque team, and shared their cheese sandwiches and chips. (There's still a petanque team!) This is one of Camra's heritage pub interiors - the bench I sat on deserves a mention for its creaking, echoing my leg joints after driving (not cycling this time) from near Tenby in Dyfed. Three of the four hand pumps were badged, with Bass, Exmoor Pale and local Exeter Country Best. The latter is an old fashioned 4.6% bitter, and I had a half of that and another of Bass. They averaged NBSS 3.25.

A Gem The public bar at the front probably hasn't changed in years. 6 Real Ales available, regular beer festivals

Official site of the Carew Arms - www.thecarewarms.co.uk

Official site of the Carew Arms - www.thecarewarms.co.uk