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Beer of the Week (w/e 3rd May 2026) with ROBCamra
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by E TA
Submitted on Saturday, 28th March 2026
With picture contributions to 805 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (7 more images)
Detail Pages
The Masons Arms, Seaton
Branscombe
Postal town: Seaton
EX12 3DJ
Served areas
Reviews of The Masons Arms (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
E TA left this review about The Masons Arms
Still owned by St Austell, there is little to add to the reviews, below, in terms of the layout and appearance. We too found the service to be incredibly slow despite there being plenty of friendly, chatty staff. Food was expensive, and neither the quantity nor the quality justified the high prices. The customer base is primarily from the elderly tourist trade, and there was no real pub atmosphere despite the building’s architectural features and several CAMRA awards. Three ales on cask, Tribute, Proper Job and a guest, Branscombe Summa This. On keg were Thatcher’s Gold., Ambr Cider, Mena Dhu, Proper Job, Arctic Sky, Moretti, 1664 and Korev. Fine if in the area, and as an AA 2* hotel it’s a perfectly adequate place to spend the night, but I wouldn’t make a special effort to come to eat.
On 15th April 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3750 recommendations about 3710 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Masons Arms
One of two pubs in the long and sprawling village of Branscombe, the Mason's Arms is at the eastern end. It is the more popular of the two pubs and seemingly the one used more by diners.
There are multiple rooms on different levels. With slate floors and stone walls, it has a very traditional feel. We sat at a table in the main bar area next to a rather large fireplace, as most tables were reserved or already taken by diners. Hops above the bar and in the fireplace complete the traditional look. Dogs and children are welcome and various board games such as Trivial Pursuit and Chess were available to play from near the rear entrance.
Toilets can be found outdoors to the rear, where there is also an outdoor patio for drinking. A larger patio to the front of the pub has more tables, some with their own thatched roofs. There is a large car park to the rear, along with a number of accommodation units. A quick peak inside revealed some nicely appointed rooms.
Service was not the best. It was quite a wait whilst the barmaid made several coffees. When finally served, she could not manage to top up the cider we had ordered (Thatcher's Haze), as it was far too gassy. After a few attempts, she gave up and left us with half a glass of foam. This was also easily the most expensive round from 27 pubs visited in Devon & Cornwall, with the half (more like a quarter pint) of cider and 2 soft drinks coming to £10.25. Had the barmaid charged me for a pint. It's possible, but it wasn't beyond the realms of possibility that £10.25 was correct for such a tourist-oriented pub.
There were 3 handpulls. With one unclipped, the others had Tribute & Anthem on them. Keg options included Arctic Sky & Mena Dhu. Whilst I didn't have either of the ales, I did notice that the barmaid was also struggling to pour those too. Perhaps there was a problem with the cellar?
Despite the traditional feel to this place, I'd agree with the previous reviewer. It had a bit of a corporate feel and staff didn't really seem to care what level of service they provided, or alternatively they were bordering on incompetent. Prices are steep, but somehow this was the busier of the two pubs in the village. So, why would they choose to change?
On 10th August 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3459 recommendations about 3457 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Gaskin left this review about The Masons Arms
This is a classic picture postcard country pub set in a lovely location. Well maintained, clean and with friendly and helpful staff. However, it seems to have lost the village pub atmosphere for a corporate one. Inside there are two bar areas either side of the serving area, with further dining areas to the right. Food plays a big part, but St. Austell IPA, Tribute, Summa That, Tinners and Proper Job were all available on hand pump. I tried the IPA which was fine. It seems to be busy most of the time, (they do have several cottage rooms to stay in,) and is worth a visit.
On 4th June 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 202 recommendations about 169 pubs]
View more reviews of The Masons Arms (6)
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- Official site of the Masons Arms, includes menus - www.masonsarms.co.uk
- Masons Arms pages at the St Austell brewery site - www.staustellbrewery.co.uk
- Facebook - The Masons Arms, Branscombe
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Masons Arms - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : Yes last updated 22 January 2014 by Blackthorn _
- Beer Festivals : Yes - July - last updated 13 July 2017 by Graham Coombs
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 13 July 2017 by Graham Coombs
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 13 July 2017 by Graham Coombs
- Car Park : Yes last updated 13 July 2017 by Graham Coombs
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 13 July 2017 by Graham Coombs
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 13 July 2017 by Graham Coombs
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- Jukebox : No last updated 13 July 2017 by Graham Coombs
- Karaoke : No last updated 13 July 2017 by Graham Coombs
- Micropub : No last updated 13 July 2017 by Graham Coombs
- Pinball : No last updated 13 July 2017 by Graham Coombs
- Pool Table : No last updated 13 July 2017 by Graham Coombs
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- Real Cider : No last updated 10 August 2024 by Blue Scrumpy
- WiFi : Yes last updated 13 July 2017 by Graham Coombs
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