Horse & Groom, Ivybridge

Official site of Horse & Groom - www.horseandgroombittaford.com

Official site of Horse & Groom - www.horseandgroombittaford.com

The entrance of the Horse & Groom opens into a red carpeted central bar area with a serving counter across the rear that faces some small round tables with stools and a fireplace with burner centrally located on the front wall with seating under the windows either side. The counter supports Carlsberg, San Miguel, Kronenburg, Guinness and four keg ciders alongside four hand pumps that were drawing St Austell’s Proper Job, Dartmoor’s Jail Ale, the very local Summerskills Brewery’s Bittabeer and Sandford Orchard’s Rib Tickler cider. There’s also a birdcage on the end of the bar with warning not to put fingers in. The carpet continues up the left of the pub where there’s a designated restaurant area. To the right of the entrance is an area with some high stools, a pool table and a dartboard. No televisions, but there was some background music playing and a quiz is advertised for the first Thursday of each month. My visit was on a midweek afternoon not long before Halloween so all the decorations were up for their Halloween party. I thought the young barman was very polite and I got very comfortable, so I’d pop back in again if passing.

Attractive pub imperiously overlooking the road next to the railway viaduct. Staple-shaped interior with a traditional homely feel with pub carpet, third length tongue and groove wood panelling, horseshoes, log fire, hanging ceramic jugs and an eclectic collection of framed stuff. Pool and darts available. Seven pumps with four ales; Skinners Betty Stogs (very good nick), Bays Autumn Ale, Hunters house beer and Wychwood Hobgoblin. One cider, Westons Family Reserve. A solid pub and worth stopping for. 7.5