The Cider Barn, Cheddar

Official site of The Cider Barn - www.theciderbarn.net

Official site of The Cider Barn - www.theciderbarn.net

A roadside cider house much as described by Blackthorn, below. There is new a pool table in the back room, and it also sports a glitter ball, presumably for aesthetic rather than practical reasons. There was a solitary ale on, Gorge Best, which was in excellent condition. Nine boxed ciders and 6 on tap justified the cider house epithet, while Guinness was available for those who wanted something more mainstream. It’s a decent enough place, welcoming staff and an active atmosphere, while I’m sure it is also a good music venue. It’s notorious, though, for not keeping to advertised opening hours, so make sure you have a Plan B if coming here specially.

An relatively new pub on the main A371 between Cheddar and Draycott, it’s an unusual looking building that seems to be more of a barn than a pub, and indeed the sign over the door proclaims it to be a “Local Cider & Ale Barn”. There’s several picnic benches at the front of the pub which is a pleasant enough spot, and there is also a small terrace at the rear with good views across the levels. Inside the rustic look continues with painted breeze blocks forming the walls, red screed of some sort on the floor and a corrugated tin roof. Large windows and doors cover almost the entire front wall of the pub. A PA system was off to one side, and it appears that live music features regularly with a number of forthcoming events detailed on a blackboard. A metal stove was off to one side, with copious warnings about not touching it when hot and a couple of old beer barrels had been pressed in to service as tables. At the back it opens up a little with a high ceiling and salmon paintwork on the back wall. A bike was suspended from the ceiling and there were a few pieces of colourful artwork for sale as well as a couple of shelves of old books. The food offering appeared to consist mostly of hearty dishes such as chilli and casseroles in various forms all served with bread, and these were all priced at £5.50. There were also a Ploughman’s and a few sandwiches available as well as a plate of pies on the end of the bar. Despite the ale sign outside the pub, there did not seem to be any available. There was a pump on the bar but this appeared unused, and there were none listed on the board. The solitary cider on the bar was Ashton Press, but there were half a dozen boxes racked up behind the bar and these included Black Rat, Wyld Wood, Somerset Snuffler, Glasto and something from Rich’s and Wilkins. All in all, I thought this was a quirky place and quite liked it.