The Welcome Inn, Dawlish

Looks impressive from the outside, very long and with a commanding position overlooking the coast. However it all falls apart inside. Many knocked through sections decorated in the spirit of Linda Barker circa 1998, mainly grey. There's a pool table at one end and a battery farm aligned dining tables. Three pumps at the bar which were all off (on a Saturday!) so a half of Guinness had to do, at least it was cheap. The outside patio is a suntrap in the early afternoon which currently is all it really has going for it for the passing drinker.

I regularly holiday in Dawlish Warren with the family so have been in the Welcome Inn a few times over the years, usually for a Sunday dinner. It did close a few years ago but then re-opened and remains the popular thriving pub that I remembered it as from earlier visits. In fact it is so popular that you are probably best booking if you are going for Sunday dinner. We didn't think to do so, but the pub was able to accommodate us in the function room to the right hand side of the pub. A live music act was due to start (Exeter Soulies, Sunday Soul) which led to a rather amusing experience of us sat in a corner eating Sunday dinner while the band was warming up. The people in there were fantastic about it and we could not have been made to feel any more welcome, they gave the kids badges and chatted with us. As I say, we found it all rather amusing but that experience may not be for everyone so I would advise booking a table if you want to be guaranteed a seat in the more traditional pubby area! In terms of real ale, I think there were two pumps, offering Doom Bar and Otter Ale which had the clip turned round. There may have been a third unclipped pump. I went for a Symonds Founders Reserve cider instead (keg) which was nice enough. Lovely food from what I remember. Beer choice less exciting, but it is obviously a food led place. Visit was back in April this year. Recommended.