Kings Arms, Salcombe

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Blackthorn _ left this review about Kings Arms

A good sized pub right in the heart of Salcombe High Street, this should be a prime location packed with tourists, and although that may be the case during the day with people looking for something to eat, we found it surprisingly quiet later on with few drinkers in there, in spite of the fact that the front part of the pub looks quite traditional and is more geared towards wet sales.

The main bar at the front is carpeted and has a fireplace to the right with a wooden mantle and wood burning stove in the hearth and a small trophy cabinet. A wood panelled bar is opposite you as you walk in, as there is a wooden entrance porch that protrudes in to the pub space, presumably a later addition rather than an original part of the building. A smaller bar off to the left has more of a sports feel with a tiled floor, darts board, quiz machine and a large brick fire-place with a wood burning stove and a plasma mounted above it . Any charm that the brick chimney breast may have once had was ruined by a couple of very brightly backlit drinks advertisements set in to the brickwork either side of the plasma. It would also be somewhat distracting if you were trying to watch it I would have thought.

Up a couple of steps on the right was a longer room with a much more open, contemporary feel and this looked to me more geared up for dining. This had a bit of a nautical theme as befits it’s location with a pale blue and white colour scheme, a canoe hanging up in the arched roof and various other boat related items around such as ropes, oars and anchors. This area was carpeted and there were candles on all the tables. There is some outside seating consisting of a patio to the right and a wooden terrace/sun deck up a few steps to make the most of the estuary views.

Beers on tap were Bass, Courage Best and Greene King IPA. Ciders were Strongbow, Bulmers and Heron Valley Devon cider, which is a new one on me. The friendly barman offered a sample, and it wasn’t at all bad. Certainly better than the other two offerings as I pointed out to him. Overall, I was slightly disappointed with this, although it’s difficult to pin down exactly why. Perhaps it felt a bit tired, maybe it was too quiet, I’m not sure, but personally I prefer some of the other pubs nearby.

On 26^th July 2012 - rating: 6
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