ReviewThis is an old Victorian street corner pub named after the historically significant Kents Caverns nearby and is owned by Enterprise Inns, it has been sympathetically refurbished in the last couple of years. The interior is open plan but has two distinct areas, the front of the pub is a traditionalish public bar area and the rear of the room is a more contemporary restaurant area. The public bar has a lot of original dark wood that has been retained after the refurb, the bar counter along the left wall is one of these original features with a wood panel and tiled front and stained glass panels above, in front of the counter is a bare wood floor and opposite the counter is a raised area with grey carpet and grey leather bench seats divided into booths, there is a bar billiards table top propped up against the wall which I assume is available on request. In the front left corner next to the counter is a nook with a couple of sandy brown leather sofas. The restaurant area is a real contrast with bright walls, modern dining furniture, grey leather upholstered dining chairs, drift wood sculptures set in alcoves and modern abstract paintings on the walls. The only remnant of the old pub in the restaurant is a brick fire place with a log burning stove in the back wall. In the middle of the right hand wall between the two areas is a door that leads to an outside paved area which stretches down the full length of the right hand side of the building, this has several large tables with one massive parasol and green shrub borders.
Regular ales are currently St Austell Tribute, Otter Ale, Dartmoor Jail Ale, Sharp’s Doom Bar and John Smiths Cask Bitter with a single changing guest beer which was Wadworth’s Farmers Glory on this occasion (Cask Marque). This place is in a suburb of Torquay that is a little out of the way, so once I had made it here I decided to have quite a while in here and tried the Farmers Glory, Jail Ale, Tribute and John Smiths (just because curiosity got the better of me). All were in good condition and the John Smiths wasn’t too bad actually. There is a 50p discount for card carrying CAMRA members Monday to Friday.
A great pub that has a nice balance of fairly traditional bar and smart restaurant. The beer selection is pretty standard for Devon but was as well kept as any other place I visited in Torquay. Regular buses between Torquay harbour and Babbacombe stop nearby. I have not tried the food but the menu looked full of pricey posh nosh. If you like real ale then this place is worth the effort, I would definitely visit again.
