Quarryman Inn, Wadebridge

The Quarryman Inn was the best pub I found in Devon and Cornwall on my latest visit. It was actually my first stop in the two counties. Arriving on a rather drizzly Tuesday afternoon, I was glad to receive a warm welcome and was also greeted by a choice of 4 real ales. Otter Bitter is currently the regular ale, but I overheard them saying that this will soon be withdrawn. However, I was more attracted to the 3 guest ales, which were all from Cornwall - Skinner's Penny Come Quick, Padstow Brewery Padstow May Day & Firebrand West Coast Session IPA. The Penny Come Quick was a very pleasant milk stout. I'd read that mobile phones are not allowed. It was sod's law that mine rang whilst I was ordering at the bar! However, they do provide a wifi code. So, I am not sure if the ban is still enforced. Just 4 other customers were in, two in the main bar area and another couple of guys in the games room area, which you pass through on entry. A cosy Cornish pub, not far off the main A35, along a lane. Well worth making a detour to.

Large pub near the Camel Trail which is part of a holiday /sporting complex. There is a games area, and lounge and dining areas as well as the restaurant. Children and dogs are ok but they ban mobiles. We had beers from Cottage and Skinners, which were fine, and there was also Doom Bar and an Otter beer on.

A traditional stone-built pub just off the A39, it consists of a couple of bar areas and outside seating both adjacent to the pub and in a courtyard at the rear, although we did not investigate this. The main bar area to the right has a flagstone floor and a brick fire-place with a wood-burning stove. A plasma was showing the tennis which a couple of locals were watching, but this did not seem too intrusive, and a darts board was down at one end. Various bits and pieces were dotted around the walls such as the obligatory horse brasses, a couple of cricket bats, a model ship and an old spirit bottle stand. Another bar to the left appeared to be more of a dining area with a carpeted floor and all the tables laid up for food. Some colourful artwork on the walls was available to purchase. We were here on a lunch-time and the menu offered a selection of sandwiches and baguettes as well as a few steaks and some “pub grub” dishes such as Scampi & Chips, Ham Egg & Chips, Ploughman’s, etc., and these were mostly priced around the £8 mark. We went for a Prawn Marie Rose sandwich and a Bacon, Brie and Cranberry baguette, and these were both decent and generous portions with plenty of fillings in, especially the baguette which had a big slice of brie oozing out. Beers on tap were Otter Bitter, Skinner’s Lushington, Doom Bar and Hop Back Summer Lightning. The solitary cider was Stowford Press. Overall I quite liked this pub and would consider it well worth the short detour off the main road. Alternatively if you’re feeling more energetic, it can be reached from Padstow along the popular Camel Trail.

A fine sporting pub off the beaten track on the outskirts of Wadebridge. Real Ale from Skinners and a food offering in a friendly bar.