The Holman Clavel Inn, Taunton

A traditional roadside inn with no pretence, which still offers B&B, though it appears to be food-led nowadays.  There is a tiny parking plot left at the front after much of the frontage was converted into a paved garden, and the outbuildings give it the appearance of a shanty town, but once inside you find a warm, welcoming pub with a lot going for it.  The front bar is full width, formed from knocking through, and there is a smaller bar at the back plus a newly refurbished dining room.  We received a very warm welcome from the landlady who, despite being busy, took time to welcome us and suggested we that as we were pretty cold, we sit by the large, open fire (with its eponymous oaken clavel) at a table marked ‘reserved’ but whose occupants weren’t due for an hour or so –a refreshing attitude.  Food is good quality pub grub, locally sourced, a bit on the pricy side but not extortionate.  There were 4 handpumps on the bar, with Otter Bitter and Butcombe Gold, plus two Tricky ciders.  In addition there were two barrels on stillage behind the bar with Otter Bitter and Amber.  They host community events including ‘press your own apples’, using their own cider press, and live music once a month.  Well worth stopping and, given its location, a good base for a break in the Blackdown Hills.