Blue Ball Inn, Sidmouth

Thatched pub on the main road through Sidford, with a car park on the opposite side of the road. We arrived as quite a few OAPs were leaving with their carers. It seemed that they had been out of their homes for a lunch at the pub. The pub is quite a large affair. A central bar serves several seating areas all around, mostly carpeted. There was what appeared to be a snug with a dartboard to the right of the entrance, but this joined up with other rooms to the rear. Large sections of the pub are primarily for diners. We sat in more of a drinkers' room to the right-hand side of the bar. It had parquet flooring and a large fireplace containing wine bottles and horse brasses. Old black and white pictures could be found on the walls. A dog was present alongside several other customers. Elsewhere there was a large function room to the rear left-hand side and a seemingly popular garden area to the left of the pub and also to the rear. 3 cask ales were on - Otter Bitter, Sharp's Doom Bar & Timothy Taylor Landlord. Beavertown Neck Oil was the best of the keg selection, whilst the cider was Orchard Thieves. Rather irritating music was playing throughout our visit, but The Cloud wifi was a small bonus. Primarily a dining establishment, this one didn't really float my boat.

Official site of Blue Ball Inn - www.blueballinnsidford.co.uk

Official site of Blue Ball Inn - www.blueballinnsidford.co.uk

Modern thatched pub which replaced original after major fire in 2006. Extensive layout of connected rooms arranged round a central bar, with a carvery at rear, so much emphasis on food. Draught ales at time of visit were Bass, Otter, Doom Bar and Tribute; the Bass was in very good condition (Cask Marque listing). Good for eating and fine for drinking too.