please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Third visit, the food was to its usual standard. The presentation was excellent as was the taste! I only had one pint, it was not very exciting, but as I was driving I couldn't really try the others. Previous experience tells me this was just unlucky.
Only real downside, it a bit cool, but that suited the dogs!
dandj - 14 Nov 2012 22:24 |
We stayed overnight here. The accommodation was very close to 5 star (bathroom soap let it down). The bar was first class. The real ales although good were not in the same league as the farmhouse "Mad Apple" cider. The staff were lovely and the local Cidermaster was also an entertaining customer.
The food was a tour de force. The seafood starter on a bed of samphire went straight into the top five starters ever table. The sirloin steak that followed was top notch, beautifully cooked and piping hot. A little more work needed on the chips to match the excellence of the steak.
We do quite a few overnighters every year and we cannot recall anywhere that comes close . The points I've raised are hints for improving what is very good, not criticisms.
Most places can learn a lot from here. We will be back.
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The local paper boasted three fires in the pub. I wouldn't be too excited about three gas fires!! We have eaten at the Blue Ball many times and recently with the new managers it was not very good.
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Yes it's open again, but very quiet on a Thurdays evening with nearly as many dogs in the place as customers. Paris Hilton might be like to know thatthe other beer they had on tonight, in addition to the Mac otter and legend was none other that Exmoor ale. It was undrinkable and had to be changed. Having said tht, it's a nice pub but a bit off the beaten track at this time of year. Ramblers note: they do a ramblers breakfast, starting quite early, which might be tried once the weather gets better,
Didnt eat but menu looked fine if a bit fancy.
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Visited on Sunday lunchtime after a walk up the hill to the Triscombe Stone and back. Very different barn-conversion-type pub that seems to concentrate on food but keep a selction of good real ales instead. MacOtter (otter Ale), Dartmoor Legend and another with the pump clip turned round (would'nt be surpreised if it was the ever-present Doom Bar). The Legend was finebut, as usual with pubs in this area, some variation in the ales on offer would be nice .
You enter the front door and ascend the stairs to the main bar and restaurant (via a stair-lift if you need to!!. There is a second entrance round the back directly into the garden and the bar.
Plenty of diners, it seemed very popular. Very pleasant, I will visit again
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Hi, my name is Kieran Dickens and I have just taken over the Blue Ball Inn with our new chef Lee Atkinson. This site says that the pub is closed but I would like to say that we are open and ready for business so please don't hesitate to contact the pub on 01984 618242 to make a reservation.
Thank you for your support,
Kieran and Lee.
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What a difference a year makes or more accurately a change of ownership.The place is now clean the food and beer very good and the toilets refurbished.The barman and waitress were both welcoming and cheerful. A shower of rain when we arrived kept us indoors but a quick look into the garden when we left revealed somewhere neat and tidy and a nice place to enjoy a drink or meal on a warm day.Welcome back the Blue Ball.
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Went in for a meal on Sun 30th May. The food is very nice, starters �5 to �8, mains �12 to �17 in general. The pub apparently was closed because the previous managers went bust, however new management is in place now. Three beers on tap - two from Exmoor, one from Cotleigh (all excellent), and they also have Thatchers Cheddar Valley scrumpy cider (don't be put off by the colour...) on draught. All in all definately worth a visit.
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There is a board outside this pub saying that it will reopen on 25th May 2010
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Sadly now closed.
Moses - 14 Apr 2010 12:35 |
Highly recommended, the lunch menu is simpler than the evening one. The beer was very well kept and the staff friendly, our dogs were also made welcome and chews offered. They were doing a reasonable trade on a wet November midweek lunchtime.
dandj - 22 Nov 2009 14:38 |
My partner and I really like this pub - the setting is lovely, they allow dogs, the staff are pleasant and the food is very good. We have not had a bad meal here, and we went today again and were not disappointed. I love the barn conversion and the views. Highly recommended.
lizw1 - 12 Nov 2009 17:59 |
A really delicious meal in a relaxed environment. The staff were very friendly, and the service excellent. It is slightly more pricey than your average pub meal, but much better quality - both of us had a three course meal and coffee, and it came to less than �40. I would definitely go again if in the area.
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Very eccentric landlord, teenage waiting staff somewhat aloof, however nice pint after a good walk locally, great location! Food is pricey but it's better quality than most pub grub, fresh and seasonal, if a little on small portion size.
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This pub really does have it all.Stunning location,history,warm friendly atmosphere and some of the best food I have ever eaten.Add to that a very well kept cellar serving very good draught ale and you really do have it all.
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No welcome, good pint of Exmoor fox. No fish available out of a 6 choice menu, so only 3 starters and mains. Bland, poorly constructed and presented food. Not great as i had just read the Somerset life review and went along to see what it was all about. two drinks, one starter, two mains, and a glass of wine �49.95.!
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Lunchtime visit july 09
The welcome by the staff was non existant.No problem with the beer.Menu choice ok maybe for walkers but otherwise poor.Even in a poor light the place looked scruffy with stained cushions and menu cards.Out of desperation we chose ham egg and chips ( can`t go far wrong ). The ham was excellent eggs ok but chips undercooked.Two black coffees were lukewarm and barely half a cup at �1-90 each.Ladies and Disabled toilets (Gents out of service ) had wet floors and dirty towels and the disabled was full of clutter.
What a waste of a nice building in a lovely setting. Not somewhere I would pay a return visit.
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Idyllic thatched pub in the heart of the Quantocks, with a lovely garden and an intimate 'tree house' feel to the interior. Food, drink and service all top notch.
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We drove around the Quantocks for ages this afternoon and stumbled upon this little gem. It's always a good sign if they ask you if you've booked! We hadn't but they squeezed us in anyway. The roast beef was amazing and came with a homemade Yorkshire pud and potatoes roasted in goose fat. We were too full for dessert but they looked delicious. They have a fine selection of well-kept, real ales. The staff are warm and friendly and the setting is idyllic with stunning views across to Exmoor. It's well hidden but definitely worth seeking out if you're looking for a good pint, great views, a nice atmosphere and a hearty, delicious meal.
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The garden was very lovely the other day.
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Had a fantastic lunch here last Sunday. One of the best sunday lunches I have ever eaten. Staff were friendly, atmosphere great. We were not rushed off of the table so could have a relaxing lunch unlike at some places. Was great to see that they also serve lunch on a Sunday from 12 until 6 so next time we will have a walk first and come in later.
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This pub keeps their beer really good. The Cotleigh Tawny was really tasty and they always have two stronger ales on as well. It's great to see that ulike many of the rural pubs, they now do Sunday lunch from 12 to 6pm. Don't forget to save room for one of their mouthwatering homemade desserts!
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That's too bad. I've had food here, a couple of years ago, and really enjoyed it.
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Meant to sat I would'nt eat here, nor would I advise anyone else to either.
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The local hygiene inspectors have given this pub 0/5 stars which means
"Poor hygiene conditions found, Major non compliance and follow up action likely".
In other words I would fancy eating here.
Pity really as the setting is beautiful, and the beer useually good.
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In the warmer weather the beer garden is well worth a visit. The trick is to get a seat as high as possible in on the terraces, to give a view over the hedge.
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Not really the pub it used to be as teh ex landlord moved it from where it was to the barn where it now is! More of a restaurant, but very good nevertheless. Good local ale, and some un-expected dishes on the menu. Worth a visit.
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Bar is set in a loft-style upper level and is a little spartan, with the attention being given over more to the dining side of things, something for which the pub has seemingly won awards and I did like the touch of having their local suppliers listed above the bar. Beer was fine, Cotleigh had just run out when I arrived but the Otter was good, as was the strong cider. Extraordinary countryside view from window at far end of adjacent dining room, large multi-tiered garden outside and very welcoming to dogs, but somehow the bar fails to pull off the rustic feel one would expect out here.
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Lovely setting, a bit off the beaten track, but it still gets crowded in the evenings and at week ends.
The food is good if a little pricey.
The beers are always in good nick.
Quite possibly the best thing about this pub is the setting in a steep combe, with beautiful views across to Minehead.
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The pub has been moved from the house into a converted barn so don't expect a "traditional" pub. However the barn is warmly decorated and serves good food and well kept ale. The large terraced beer garden with fine views is an ideal place to try out the lunchtime menu. Not so much a drinking mans pub, as a place for enjoying a quite meal with family or friends.
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A remarkable setting at the very base of a Quantock. A small bar, with the emphasis on food. A bit steep but well worth it.
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