Black Horse Inn, Torrington

A traditional old pub in the centre of the village square, the building dates from 1681 according to a plaque above one of the fire-places and has a suitable cosy, old world charm commensurate with a pub of that vintage. The central corridor as you go in has a tiled centre with cobbles down either side which is rather unusual. There were two bars either side, with the right had one perhaps slightly more geared towards dining although the tables were not laid up. This had black wooden panelling covering one wall, a low beamed ceiling, leaded bay windows and a brick fire-place containing a pile of backlit logs. It looks as though it may well be used as a real fire at other times of the year though. A dart board was on one wall, although this was covered up and would have required moving a couple of tables before it could be used. The left hand bar also had the carpet, low ceilings and leaded bay windows and added the bar counter, a trophy cabinet, presumably for some of the pub sports teams, a small TV up in one corner and rough plaster walls covered with various old pictures and a notice board. Service at the bar was quick and efficient despite the pub being quite busy. They could have done with clearing empty dinner plates away a bit quicker though. The menu was extensive and consisted of two separate versions, one for the restaurant and one for the bar. I assume the restaurant area was further to the rear, although we didn’t investigate this. Price wise, main courses tended to be around £8 from the bar menu and £12 from the restaurant menu. We enjoyed our Chicken Stuffed with Mozzarella & Chorizo and an Oriental Sea Bass, and the accompanying vegetables were a decent selection consisting of red cabbage, carrot, puréed suede and beans as well as potatoes. Beers on tap were Holdsworthy Muck ‘n’ Straw, St. Austell’s Tribute and Trelawney plus Exmoor Stag and Gold. The solitary cider was Blackthorn. All in all this seems one of the better pubs in the vicinity, and I would happily return.