The Old Red Lion, Bruton

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This country pub looks fairly nondescript as you approach, sitting on a fairly quiet road, in a picturesque setting, with a large, unsurfaced car park and a rather blank frontage that makes it look closed. Entering the car park you see that a modern glass fronted extension has been added to the back of the original 16th Century structure, which seems both out of place and makes it look like it’s been converted to residential use; it hasn’t. You can enter through said extension, which it transpired later leads to the B&B rooms, or through the low unobtrusive door at the front. Once inside there is a pleasant dining room and a low traditional bar with exposed timbers, stone flooring and a range of seating styles. There is a collection of keyrings hanging from the beams, around 600 of them we guessed, while the walls are adorned with other diverse rural clutter. There is also a bar billiards table, a rarity in this part of the world. The landlord was a bit gruff initially, but he got easier as our visit went on. The few regulars that were in were chatty and welcoming. Three handpumps on the bar, two with Doombar and one Exmoor Ale, all in very good condition. Food was well cooked, but very expensive for the area. I’d be happy to come back in when passing.

On 4^th April 2023 - rating: 7
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