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Pubs Galore Crawl Autumn/Winter 2024 with Tris39 on the Pub Forum

The Rusty Axe, Stembridge, Martock

Stembridge
Martock
TA12 6BL

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


E TA left this review about The Rusty Axe

Update May 22: now re-opened under new management. Real ales and cider back on offer.

Update: Oh dear. The pub has now reopened under new management. The new owners, who also run The Globe in Somerton, have 'renovated' (ie removed almost all its rustic charm) and changed things, trying to attract a different customer other than the locals. The skittle alley is now a restaurant area, real cider has disappeared from the pumps and the ales - Doombar and one from Fine Tuned - were badly kept and in poor condition on their opening night. This, apparently, is progress.


(1 Sep 17)An excellent thatched village local, a freehouse, no frills and no tourist appeal, but very much geared to serving its local community. Originally The Ash, the name was changed by a previous owner on finding a rusty axe-head in the ash tree which was felled at the front of the pub. It sits in a commanding position on the road junction at the centre of the village. It has a rather scruffy car park on the other side of the road, and there is a small garden, raised and open, most of it lawned, with a small paved terrace by the pub entrance, but the views are not that great. Inside, the main bar is open plan, forming a J-shape. A fair few tables are available for drinkers and diners, and while there are a few bar stools, it can get quite cramped if sitting at the bar. On the short arm of the J is a pool table and dart board; the pub hosts regular darts evenings. There is also a skittle alley. The regular clientele are a sociable mix of locals, human and canine, though the latter are rigorously policed by the pub cat, and Dave, the landlord, takes no nonsense from the former; children's behaviour is expected to be as good as the dogs'. Food is basic pub grub, functional, not very exciting day to day, but the Sunday roasts and Wednesday evening curries are pretty good. The beer is very good: four handpumps on the bar, one is always a cider, which changes week to week. The other three are for ales, Tribute is the house beer while the other 2 are guests. The ales are well kept and usually in good condition, except where the end of the barrel is approaching in quiet times. They also keep a stock of bottled ciders and apple brandy from the nearby Burrow Hill cider mill. Well worth finding if in the area and including in a country crawl.

On 3rd June 2022 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3405 recommendations about 3370 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Brew Guru left this review about The Rusty Axe Inn

Not what you'd expect on the edge of the moor (Levels). Quite bright and airy interior, modernised after catastrophic fire in 2004. Open real fires add atmosphere though and much appreciated. Rob and Terry are friendly hosts with maybe an emphasis on food but drinkers well catered for with Butcombe and Cheddar ales.

On 9th November 2012 - rating: 7
[User has posted 116 recommendations about 101 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Brew Guru left this review about The Rusty Axe Inn

Reopened earlier this year with enthusiastic young couple running it, immediately popular with locals disenchanted with the alternative nearby hostelry.
3 Real Ales - Otter, Yeovil Ales Posh IPA and a guest. Lagers include Carlsberg and San Miguel and ciders Thatchers Gold and Stoford Press.
Food is good but the new owners are concentrating more on being a community pub rather than the modern city bistro it had been styled as before. AS a result the interior isn't quite right at the moment (hardly cosy) but give them time and hopefully that will get their full attention shortly. Wish them luck as pub is a bit out in the sticks.

On 9th November 2012 - rating: 7
[User has posted 116 recommendations about 101 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Brew Guru left this review about The Rusty Axe Inn

Closed for over a year and for sale, £325,000 if you want it.

Update - July 2012 has reopened

On 2nd July 2012 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 116 recommendations about 101 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


South Petherton Walking Group left this review about The Rusty Axe Inn

A Traditional British Pub selling great food in a smoke free environment. The Rusty Axe is building a fine reputation for great food. A really nice, genuine, country pub.

On 23rd February 2009 - rating: 10
[User has posted 6 recommendations about 6 pubs]