The Royal Exchange, Torrington

This is a traditional pub just a couple of minutes walk from the centre of the village, and seemed very busy on a recent Saturday evening visit, unlike the one a few doors up which was almost deserted. It’s got quite a traditional pub feel with plenty of beams on the mustard coloured ceiling, a wood panelled bar counter in the corner, some exposed stone walling, a stone fire-place and plenty of horse brasses around the place. The landlady seemed friendly and offered me a taster of the beer without being asked. There were some card games under the bar and an old grandfather clock in the corner. A rear bar was down a couple of steps to the left which is sometimes used for live music. On this occasion Dirty Frank and his compatriots were entertaining the crowd, and they sounded decent enough. In the evenings, food is only offered on Fridays and Saturdays, and consisted of a selection of snacks, presumably just as an accompaniment to people drinking rather that serious meals with dishes such as Garlic Bread, Nacho’s, Spicy Wedges and a Meatball Baguette. A board on the wall next to the fire-place listed a few more conventional options at lunchtime. Beers on tap were Forge Brewery’s Ambrosia and Hartland Blond. A board also listed Dreckly, although I didn’t spot this on the bar. The only cider appeared to be Blackthorn, but again, a board listed a few more choices from Weston’s.