Hole in the Wall, Torquay

Torquay’s only nationally-famous pub and it’s easy to see why. A historic pub (circa 1540 says the sign) tucked away off the main drag in a narrow side passage off a small road. The interior of the main bar and spur is a low-ceilinged warren of rooms, snugs, pew seating and wood panelling. To the left is a large restaurant. The worn cobbled flooring in the front bar is a bit of a feature. Inevitably, there’s plenty of nautical ephemera but as mentioned below not too much as to be chintzy. There’s also a decent collection of brewerania. I especially liked the press-gang cosh for the recruitment of staff. We took a seat in the hansom cab-esque alcove at the far right rear which was a nice place to relax and observe the goings-on. Plenty of ales available; Dartmoor Jail (good), Otter x2, Sheps Spitfire, Bays Topsail and Doom Bar with a couple off. Perhaps a little conservative? As noted elsewhere it’s far from the cheapest pint you’ll get locally but if an extra few pence is the price of keeping the place up-to-scratch, then I won’t argue. Background music was classic 70’s hits from the landlord’s ipod. Note that the pub is not child-friendly; this is one for grown-ups and curmudgeons only. Enjoyable place with plenty of character and good ale, well-worth stopping for.

Historic pub and Torquay's oldest (circa 1540) with plenty of character and charm.Ale Monsters fine review sums the pub up nicely and I cannot add much to it apart from I thought the nautical memorabilia was a good balance without going over the top. This was our local for a week with our Hotel just a stones throw away.