Holly Tree Inn, Exmouth

Having arrived in Exmouth a little ahead of schedule, I decided to make the trek out to the top end of town to visit this decent St Austells house. It’s a pleasant multi-room pub with a side entrance leading you into an open plan side room with dark wood panelled walls, a covered pool table in the centre, a closed dartboard cabinet to one side and TV screens showing muted rugby union. Further to right is the main bar area which is dominated by the nice angular bar counter along the rear wall, painted red and white with some decorative gold features and a decent bat back with old Charrington and Stones brewery mirrors. The space opposite is carpeted and has standard tables and chairs throughout, beneath half panelled walls with cream and dark red uppers. A broad, brick fireplace stands to the right, with another TV showing rugby above it and a second dartboard to the side. Lots of old black and white photos line the walls, including many relating to early aviation, for reasons that weren’t apparent to me. Passing an attractive dresser to the right of the bar, you reach a rear room that felt like it was mainly used by diners, but appeared to be in darkness and empty on this occasion. Old 60's and 70's rock tunes were playing quietly in the background and one of the regulars offered me a space in their 'killer’ pool competition, which was just about to get underway. There were two St Austell beers on the bar - Tribute and Proper Job (£2.05 a half), but they were supplemented by Fullers London Pride, Draught Bass and Dartmoor Jail Ale. The pub initially suggested a tight-knit locals boozer vibe, but a very friendly barmaid made me feel very welcome as a stranger and served me a well kept half of the Proper Job. I was glad I made the effort to walk out to this place, as it turned out to be a lively suburban pub with some decent beer, a well kept interior and friendly staff. It’s out on a bit of a limb, with limited nearby options to combine the visit with, but if you’re looking to maximise your time spent exploring the pubs of Exmouth, it is definitely worth consideration.

A St Austell-owned pub, up the hill going into the suburbs, via a hike through the park (which contains some interesting exercise equipment and was the cause of a strain to my drinking arm - attempting the monkey bars without a proper warm-up). Six ales, a range of St Austell beers (my HSD was OK), Bombardier, Bass and Exmoor Stag (which was excellent). One proper cider (Taunton). The half glasses were crown-stamped and had seen better days, being heavily dishwasher pitted. Service at the bar was friendly. Layout: quiet area to the left with a pool table and a more convivial area to the right with extra seating, which is where most punters were congregated. Interior was heavy on the dark wood fittings and a bit battered in places. Busy, clearly popular and felt like the sort of place you could happily strike up conversation at the bar. This is a no-nonsense local that is pretty good, but could be even better with a bit of TLC.

Holly Tree Inn pages at the St Austell brewery site - www.staustellbrewery.co.uk

Holly Tree Inn pages at the St Austell brewery site - www.staustellbrewery.co.uk

Improving pub now that St Austell brewery has taken over. Great range of beers and food. Quiz night on Sunday.