The Kings Arms Inn, Montacute

A very grand looking ham stone establishment in the heart of Montacute. Has parking at the back plus plenty of seating outside. Not a huge choice of ales but the Timothy Taylor drew my eye and I don’t think it would’ve mattered what else was on offer I had to have a pint of that! Very tasty it was too, wanted more but had the wheels so sadly wasn’t able to. For a Monday afternoon it was really quite busy so I sat outside in the sunshine, I rescued a wasp who decided to pinch some of my Timothy Taylors and the little blighter stung me! But it was worth the entertainment value watching him staggering across the bench and making several false starts to fly off inebriated! Quite expensive but it wouldn’t stop me from visiting again.

A 17th Century hamstone inn, now a boutique hotel currently owned by GK. There is a tiny car park at the back and a large, rather grand garden which complements well the village and its setting. The public rooms have mostly been converted to dining rooms, with one oddly-shaped bar which has comfortable seating but no real character. There was something of an ambiance of an up-market carehome, partly due to the very high average age of the clientele and partly the somewhat patronising attitude of the bar staff. The waitresses were a bit more realistic, though, and I felt their pain as dithering, inconsiderate idiots messed them around. Food is the gastro style, over-priced and leaving you feeling hungrier than before you ate it. The ales were a much better bet – Landlord, Robinson's Dizzy Blonde and Speckled Hen, in decent condition and enjoyable. It's a good place to bring an aged relative for a special meal, the B&B looks like good value, the beer is worth a quick visit, but it's not my idea of a village pub.

Good village pub in good location with good beer and good food and was spoilt only by the poncy landlord who seems to think he's doing you a favour by letting you into his establishment. Has put me off returning but, now he's gone, it seems like an opportune time to revisit.

Now under new management since October following a period of closure and revolving door landlords it seems to have refound some stability. This is a typical Hamstone pub for the area. Tied to Green King, beers on this occasional were IPA, Ruddles and Old Speckled Hen, of which only the Hen was on but in very good order. I got the impression this is a pub concentrating on food and accomodation (hence the lack of beer choice) but apparently they had been over run on the bank holiday. I still felt it lacked a little something which I can't put my finger on.

Official site of the Kings Arms, contains menu - www.thekingsarmsinn.co.uk

Official site of the Kings Arms, contains menu - www.thekingsarmsinn.co.uk