Marisco Tavern, Lundy Island, Bideford

The only pub on Lundy Island and it really is the hub of village life – it never closes! Well alright, it observes licensing law but as the only building on the island that has lighting 24 hours a day it sometimes gets visitors at all hours. The granite building has been considerably enlarged and altered over the years but the Landmark Trust (who own the island) have done a good job of keeping character in place. Slightly discombobulating on entrance as you immediately come across the food serving area – the bar servery is actually a small and separate counter round the left-hand side. This faces a decent-sized whitewashed room with a high ceiling and mezzanine level. There are great views from the window seats and if it’s dark or grey there are a number of seafaring artefacts to take a look at, including lifebuoys from a number of boats that have been shipwrecked off the rocky coastline over the years. There’s also a collection of full-sized naval insignia flags draped from poles above the ceiling. A dart board is available, as is a library area (mainly Lundy-based books though!). There is also a function room. A beer garden is available over the rough track, in what looks like an old enclosure. As mentioned below, there’s an excellent view from the gents if you’re standing! Two cask ales on the go during my weeks stay, Lundy Light from St Austell (rebadged Tribute, if the empty barrels over the way are to be believed) and Lundy Landmark which comes from a Devon micro, Country Life. Quality was GBG standard on every pint I had bar one (which turned-out to be barrel-end) and prices were competitive given the extra shipping costs. Food available as well, usual pub chow though the pie and burgers are made with meat sourced from the islands own stock. A good little place given the circumstances – it would be easy for them to simply plop on a low-grade cask or ignore it altogether.