The Castle Inn, Axminster

It initially appears to be a compact side-street pub, although a separate restaurant area has been created in the left-hand side archway entrance. The simply decorated bar itself is about the size you would expect, with several plain tables and a few stools by the counter. Three cask ales on handpump: Tribute and Thunder Struck from St Austell, together with the more local Bays Topsail (£4.50).

Facebook page of The Castle Inn - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Castle Inn - www.facebook.com

A basic back-street boozer with no frills. There are to small room furnished minimally, one is a games room with a pool table and darts, the other a floorboarded square bar with tables and chairs, and TV showing live sports. Some of the seating was formed from empty beer barrels. There was a good local feel to it, and it certainly isn't a tourist destination. There were 2 ales on from St Austell, Tribute and Cornish Best, both in fair condition. I'd be happy to come back for a pint or two.

Town centre pub with fairly basic interior, popular with locals. At time of visit had three ales from St Austell on (the sampled HSD in good form) although judging from the pump clips on display it has others also, plus a couple of ciders.