Plough Inn, Holfordback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The interior looked a little sparse but, as everyone was being directed via the one-way system to outdoor tables last Saturday afternoon, that didn't matter. Our server was run off his feet especuially when a horde of mountain bikers arrived. There only seemed to be one ale (Doom Bar) but it was in excellent condition.
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The only review "quantocksilk" has ever posted on BITE is this one ravingly good one for this place. I suspect that he might well be the landlord (or someone not far off). The last time I was here, not that long ago, I was disappointed (and it was far below my 7/10 from earlier). This has always been a place that has convinced me that pubs come to reflect their landlords, for good or bad. My last time there: beer all right; food, pretty indifferent. In the past this place has been good. It has also been dire.
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The Plough Inn in Holford is a fantastic local which I've been to several times. It serves a small local community and tourist trade into the Quantocks Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
If you've built up a thirst walking or cycling in the nearby forests, or on a long drive down to Somerset, or even just with all that breathing you have to do in life, look no further than the emminently quaffable Sharp's Doonbar on tap.
The menu is surprisingly wide and varied and served from a fully operational kitchen at the back. Fish and chips are done to perfection, with wonderfully light and crisp batter on the fish, great chips, and attention to detail in the 'always super fresh' garnishings.
Even a lunchtime baguette comes with welcome touches like fresh/crispy tortilla chips and super-fresh garnish.
Each time I've been the staff have been wonderfully friendly, and house rules like checking that everything is ok, bringing your cutlery and condiments, clearing the table fairly soon after you're done are unobtrusive, friendly, and very welcome.
This is a great British local, probably one of a dying breed, but doing absolutely everything right to stay alive.
Highly recommended!
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There are no views of the Quantocks from the beer garden, all you can see are houses and the busy A39.
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We were a group of nine which arrived around 8:30pm looking for food. Orders were taken two at a time and, unfortunately, that's how the plates arrived at the table. So slowly that by the time the last of us was served, the first had already finished eating.
I had a burger, my other half had 'chef's' beef curry, both of us thinking '' how hard is it to mess up a burger and a curry?'' Easy enough, it would seem.
They both appeared to have been produced with 'mystery meat': mine dry and rubbery, his, tough, chewy and, he claimed, like a Tesco frozen 'value' meal, in a curiously brown sauce.
Cost for these two disasters, just over �15.
We had high hopes with this pub since it's under new management and we'd read a few glowing food reviews elsewhere. But the poor quality food and the lack of any atmosphere will keep us from returning.
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The pub is under new management, very friendly and sociable. Inside is redecorated to give it a fresher, cleaner look. Very good food, supplemented by well kept real ale, all at an affordable price. Family friendly spacious beer garden that will be very nice in the summer. The views to the Quantock hills are very spectacular, and the pub is located in the vacinity of a lot of lovely walks and cycle routes. Would certainly recommend to any friends or peers up here in the midlands if in the area. Looking forward to going again in the near future.
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It had been quite a while, so I thought we would give it another try. There is now a sign "Clean Dogs Welcome" (fair enough) and I feel this has greatly improved. Some very good beers (e.g. Exmoor Gold) and Cheddar Valley cider. (And cream teas, for those who like that sort of thing-- the wife did, saying that the homemade scones were excellent). The Specials menu looked very good indeed. 7/10
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Under NEW MANAGEMENT!!!!!!! No more grumpy barman!
Fantastic country pub, ideally situated at the foot of the Quantocks / A39, Good Food, Good Beer, Friendly welcome, dogs welcome again, beer garden, lovely hanging baskets (even in the winter, when I last visited) would highly recomend 10/10. A pub going places - finally.
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No dogs allowed now. So if you were planning on going for a walk on the Quantocks you'd better leave Fido at home, or forego your pint, or better still avoid this place and go to a proper pub. The pubs in Stowey or the Bicknoller Inn serve decent ales, keep more sociable hours and will let you in with your best friend.
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Asked for some food on a August Bank Holiday AFTER 2.30pm. Imagine the cheek of customers wanting to eat anywhere in England after 2.30. You'd think I'd asked for the head of John the Baptist by the reaction I got.Seems pub owners/landlords in Somerset are not keen on opening on a busy bank holiday. Has no one heard that the law was changed so they could open ? Chance to make some money on a Bank Holiday? No,stuff it we don't want to.
This is a nice looking pub and the beer and the cider were excellent.But you thirsty walkers-you'd better BYO!
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As predicted the previous incumbents couldn't last the winter and this pub is now under new management. I didn't get the chance to pop in yesterday but watch this space. Let's just hope it's going to be run as a pub rather than some glorified eating-house; getting the cider back in would be a good start....
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My husband & I have found this pub by chance, the welcome was fantastic as was the food & the service.
Real old log fire burning in the snug area & traditional ales, all food done from fresh, it was just great.
We would definately reccommend The Plough Inn At Holford, there are excellent walking trails in the area also.
We live in Taunton & cant wait for a return visit.
Claire - 15 Nov 2006 20:01 |
Having spent three nights here, I find it difficult to believe that the same pub is being talked about above. The owner and the bar maids were exceptionally friendly and helpful, accommodation was very comfortable and the food was excellent. As a vegetarian, I lacked choice for dinner, but the one option was delicious, as was the hearty breakfast. The only slight negative was that it felt more restaurant-like than pub-like, but I would definitely stay there or eat there again.
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Called in on Father's Day to meet my parents for a drink, and dearly wished I hadn't. The new people have taken out the local cider; Cotleigh 25 was �2.65/pint. They'd run out of soda water and we had to wait ten minutes for ice. We sat outside where there are now place mats on the benches; when my mother picked up a menu the hostile barmaid hastily piped up "you can't order any food!" (we didn't want to order, we know that this is England and you can't get a meal after 2.30 pm on a Sunday; perhaps she was just ashamed at the prices: �7.95 for a ploughmans!!!). Dog unfriendly, customer unfriendly, overpriced eating house, run for the benefit of the staff rather than the customers. This is a pub with a chequered history to put it mildly; if the current incumbents aren't going to make a proper go of it then they'd better make hay while the sun shines 'cos there's a long, cold winter ahead.
Terry Peers - 23 Jun 2006 12:29 |
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