Lion & Fiddle, Hilperton, Trowbridge

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A very pleasant town pub, now owned by a Nepalese family with strong connections to the Gurkha community. It’s a large house on its own plot, with a sizeable car park behind. On arrival you are greeted by a the exotic aromas of Nepalese cooking, a much better experience than the more common faux-Indian cooking smells or the stale chip fat from some chains. Inside, there is single L-shaped bar, mostly carpeted, with a fusion of Nepalese and traditional English décor and ornaments which give it an almost colonial feel. There were brick fireplaces at both ends, one with an oriental bronze insert. The Gurkha influence was subtle but it was definitely there. There was a large TV in the bar, but this was switched off when we visited. The young staff were very welcoming, good humoured and engaged, while the other customers were a good humoured bunch, many of them ex-Services. The Nepalese food was good value and a cut above any other pub curry in the area. Two real ales on, Butcombe Original and Doombar, both in good condition. Cobra was on offer to those who like a lager with their baht, plus Thatcher’s Gold, Madri, 1664, Prahva, Stella and Guinness. I’d be very happy to come back next time I’m passing, and although known locally as The Fiddle, it’s definitely not a vile inn.

On 21^st July 2025 - rating: 7
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