Hole in the Wall, Torquay

Plausibly claims to be Torquay's oldest pub, featuring low ceilings, very traditional furniture / decor and an unusual cobbled floor around the 'l'-shaped bar (apparently listed). Also has a restaurant in the adjoining building. The choice from a total of eleven handpumps - including Otter Bitter, Butcombe Bitter and Gold (£3.80), Dartmoor Jail Ale, Landlord, Tribute, Doom Bar and a cider - may be mostly similar in style but you can see why it's Good Beer Guide listed, and it's certainly worth a visit if in town.

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.