The Inn on the Green, Paignton

I popped into the Inn on the Green with the wife and kids one afternoon last week after spending a few quid on the funfair that was set up on the large green opposite. We sat on the raised patio area at the front of the pub and my only venture into this vast food led family friendly pub was to get a round in and have a quick nose around. The bar is stocked with standard draught and the three hand pumps were drawing Pedigree (x2) and Bank’s Bitter. Food is served all day and the mains cost around £9 or £10 pounds, but all the mains are available two for one which brings the price down to an acceptable level looking at what some of the other people were eating. I do not recall hearing any background music or seeing any televisions, but live music is advertised for one night every weekend. There is a decked seating area out the back that overlooks the car park which is run by the council and is pay-and-display. I wouldn’t entertain the idea of visiting here again on my own, but it is handy for families and I enjoyed my visit with mine.

This is a large open plan pub owned by Marston’s which is situated on the sea front. As you enter the main door the large island bar counter is directly ahead and positioned roughly central to the pub, on the left is a drinking area which can be used for dining when the pub is full but the main eating area is on the right of the building with long tables to cater for large parties, the dining area has a raised level around the perimeter of the room with Caribbean beach hut style roofs above several booths, large chalk boards displaying specials, paintings of sailing ships and lots of large mirrors on walls and pillars which I found a little disorientating. The island bar has a counter on the reverse side which serves a small separate area with a couple of booths and old film posters on the walls and ceiling. At the front of the building is a paved patio with several picnic tables while at the back of the pub is a decked area. Regular ale is Marston’s Pedigree with a single changing guest beer chosen from Marston’s portfolio such as Brakspear, Jennings, Ringwood or Wychwood. On this occasion it was Ringwood Forty-niner which was ok. First impressions were that the place looked a bit tacky and cheap with lots of modern pub clichés such as twigs in vases and white fairy lights, but to be fair the beer was decent, the food was very good and there were two for one offers available. Not the first pub I would revisit in the area but I would consider returning for a family meal.