Dartmouth Arms, Dartmouth

The Dartmouth Arms is a thin pub with a seating area to the left of the entrance in the round front corner and a bar that runs up the left wall. High tables run down the right wall and there is a more seating at the rear. I visited on a recent Thursday afternoon when the pub was very busy with dining tourist families. Fish and chips is priced at £13, which is about average for the area. The bar supports two hand pumps that were drawing Otter Ale (thumbs up) and Exile Brewing’s Wicked Wolf. There’s also a limited standard keg range alongside San Miguel. Outside, for those who don’t mind a plastic drinking vessel, there is a cobbled standing area over the road and some benches along the quayside. I found the service to be very friendly, but this place is far too food led for me so I’ll not be returning just for a beer.

This is a lovely grade II listed street corner pub which is located next to the quay where the Pilgrim Fathers set out from and near to the river car ferry crossing, it was built around the mid 1800’s but to my eye it looks older and the adjoining building was built in the 14 century, the pub is now owned by Enterprise Inns. The exterior has an unusual curved corner but a square based pitch roof which causes the eaves of the roof to protrude at the corner of the building. The traditional interior has a single small room with a small stained wood panel bar counter in the middle of the left hand wall, there are two small seating areas one at the front of the room and one at the back. The front area has a small brick fire place in the front wall, couple of fabric bench seats, a wood panel ceiling and Royal Navy ship plaques on the walls. The rear area has a brick fire place in the back wall with a modern coal stove and a nice East India Co. mirror above, a small flat screen TV on the back left wall which was off, another couple of brown fabric bench seats and a mix of ship paintings and old cricket team photos on the walls. The pub is carpeted throughout. Opposite the bar counter is a large display which shows stills from various Movies and TV shows (some signed) that have been filmed in or just outside the pub, these include Treasure Island, Dick Turpin, Kidnapped, The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea, The Ravelled Thread and The Onedin Line. Regular ale is currently Sharps Doom Bar with a single changing guest beer which was Otter Ale on this occasion. I had time to try both and thought that they were in good condition. It would have been nice to see a more local guest ale in a wet led pub like this, but I may have just been unlucky so I’ll give it another try next time I’m in the area. A great traditional street corner pub with nice character which seemed well attended by locals, four being sat and sharing friendly banter at the bar while I was served. The beer selection is a little unimaginative but proved to be quite drinkable. The pleasant interior scored extra points for this place, it is a nice classic pub environment with some interesting paraphernalia dotted around. I would pop in again if visiting a couple of pubs in the town.