The Rising Sun Inn, Taunton

Facebook page of The Rising Sun Inn - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Rising Sun Inn - www.facebook.com

A sixteenth Century village pub,, originally the Shepherd’s Crook. There is seating at the front on benches. Inside, the first bar you come to is formed from two earlier rooms, rebuilt after a fire a few years ago, and informally divided by a glass screen. There is a smaller dining room behind, and there is also a large function room upstairs. It feels a bit like a country pub that has been updated, but despite copious oak beams, a non—functioning stone fireplace and tiled floors, it lacks the pub atmosphere a bit. The barmaid was quite chatty, very happy to inform us it was her last week here. Food was overpriced and slightly pretentious. Three pumps on the bar, only two ales on – Tribute and Quantock Anthem – which were both well past their best. Sheppey’s real cider was also available. Keg options were QPA, Mahou, Guinness, Monterey, Amstel, Estrella, Corona and Thatcher’s Gold. They hold regular functions including live music nights and ‘Friday Regulars’ Night’, which seemed a bit odd. It felt a bit artificial and the beer quality wasn’t up to scratch, so I don’t think I’ll be rushing back.

This pub would be worth a visit for the inn sign alone, and when I walked in and saw three naked hand pumps I thought that was going to be my sole reward for my 25 minutes walk from the camp site. On enquiring, it transpired that a handwritten pump clip had fallen off, and I was happy to part with £5.60 for what turned out to be a rather cold and certainly green pint of St Austell Anthem 3.8%. The pub is well described on WhatPub, so I'll leave it at that. Would I return? Probably not, but I'm glad I made it here this time.

Official site of he Rising Sun Inn - risingsunwestbagborough.co.uk