Ashill Inn, Ilminster

An agreeable village pub with Medieval roots, now bypassed by both the A358 and the 21st Century.  It’s was originally on the main road, now it’s a quiet backwater.  It was previously owned by Courage, and the Courage motif is still embedded in the bar counter; it’s now a freeouse.  There is a small scruffy garden and a carpark which feels a bit like a rural junkyard.  Inside, the three main rooms have been conjoined into a single bar with a woodburner in an inglenook at one end and an open fire at the other.  There is a well-worn carpet running the length of the bar, the décor is tired and the general feel is of a homely local with no desire to be spoilt by the hoards of grockles that now zoom past on the new bypass.  There was country and western music playing on the hifi, but luckily no banjo players appeared.  The landlord was friendly and took great pride is his beer quality, and justly so.  There was only one ale on, Otter Bitter, but it was fresh and in perfect condition.  Food was home-cooked pub grub and a carvery on Sundays.  I’d be very happy to drop in again.