The Windmill Inn, Taunton

Official site of The Windmill Inn - www.the-windmill.co.uk

Official site of The Windmill Inn - www.the-windmill.co.uk

Now definitely a pub as well as an hotel and restaurant. It sits back from the road in an elevated position with rural views over the valley with St Etheldrada’s church and out to the Bristol Channel. There is a large car park at the front from which a steep path leads to the garden, or you can climb the steps to the front door. The garden has plenty of seats and tables under branded umbrellas, and there is a children’s play area. There are two main buildings, one has the accommodation, the other is the pub and restaurant. A small modern windmill sits on top of the accommodation block, presumably to add credibility to the name. The pub portion is rectangular, with three separate dining/sitting areas and a public bar area. Only one room, at the front, has views as the hill climbs beyond the pub to a small residential area behind. The public bar has a pool table and dartboard, and there is a woodburner is a stone chimney breast. The pub is owned by St Austell, but none of their core ales was on when we visited. The solitary real ale was Dartmoor Jail Ale, notin the best condition despite the barrel being new on. The keg range consisted of Cruzcampo, Poretti, Thatcher’s Gold and Haze, three Thatcher’s fruit monstrosities, Stonewall IPA, 1664/0, Murphy’s Stout and Amstel. On the tables was a wine list, very much overpriced. The young female staff were pleasant and helpful, while the majority of the customers were elderly tourists. It didn’t feel like a locals’ pub, but it was OK to stop for a quick meal and a pint.

Not a 'real' pub as there's not a bar but it does have a pool room. Comfy lounge area with tables, sofas and bar stools plus a restaurant area (food good, but a little pricey). 3 handpulls, Tribute and Doombar being served, plus ciders and lager. Worth a visit if you're in the area.