The Sexeys Arms Inn, Wedmore

A traditional, stone-built pub that is slightly off the beaten track but only a mile or so from Wedmore, it has a few picnic benches out the front and is divided internally in to three rooms. Although it does seem to have something of a food emphasis in as much that many of the tables in the lounge were reserved for diners as well as those in the restaurant, the food offering is nonetheless traditional pub faire rather than anything of the “gastro” variety. The central room is the main lounge bar and this was a cosy spot with red patterned carpet on the floor, whitewashed stone walls, plenty of low beams on the ceiling and a large stone fire-place on one side with a log fire blazing away and a row of pewter tankards hanging up above it. This was the most attractive of three rooms and it was a shame that so many tables were reserved, making the options for drinkers somewhat limited. A public bar to the left had a flagstone floor and a couple of chunky farmhouse tables as well as a smaller bar counter and a darts board. The restaurant was probably the largest of the three rooms, and had slightly less ambience with an orange tiled floor and cream wood panelling on much of the walls, although there was exposed stone-work along the front. A large stone fire-place was at each end, although both of these appeared unused. There seemed to be something of an American Indian theme here, with various models of Indians around as well as feathered headgear, pictures and information on the walls. Food wise, the menu had a slightly retro feel to it in some ways (a starter of prawn cocktail for example) and offered a good selection of “pub grub” dishes such as Chilli, Scampi & Chips, Chicken Curry, Ham Egg & Chips, etc., and these were mostly priced around £8 - £10. There was also a specials board in the lounge, although in practise this replicated much of the main menu with only one or two extra dishes available. A “luxury” fish pie was a decent and generous portion with a very cheesy mash topping and the accompanying salad was a notch or two up from your usual pub offering that included strips of pepper, grapes and an orange slice. A beef lasagne was similarly well received. Beers on tap were Butcombe, Exmoor Ale and Exmoor Exmus whilst the ciders were Stowford Press and Ashton Press. All in all I really liked this pub with it’s friendly landlady, cosy ambience and traditional and hearty pub food. Just a bit more space for drinkers in the lounge bar would have made it just about perfect.

Official site of the Sexeys Arms - sexeysarms.moonfruit.com

Official site of the Sexeys Arms - sexeysarms.moonfruit.com