please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now up and running as a first class ordinary country pub. Yes they serve food too, but the beer (and cider) were first class served by a jovial old cove and 2 delightful barmaids. A good choice of beer served in good condition. Worth a visit.
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As mentioned, this pub is open again and is now advertising live music in the local (free) what's on guide. I must give it a try sometime
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Finally the Clavel is back in safe hands and bad memories fading fast. Decent beer, nice, warm atmosphere and look forward to sampling the grub. Great news going in to 2016
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Closed down, hardly surprising, this is what happens when idiots decisde they can run a pub
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How sad to read all these complaints about the Holman. Proir to the current Landlords I viewed this amazing place with the intent on taking it over from the previous Landlord. From the moment we arrived at our viewing we were planning on things we could do, which was fully based on the community feel. Even to the degree that we may have continued "The Late Taxi Service" Out of the many many pubs we have looked at, this was the one place that could have been an amazing community led local. We were so interested in the things we felt we could do that we even spoke unofficially with the Parish Council. On occasions we still look-up the Pub for any local news, hence my arrival today. I have no knowledge of the current situation and in all fairness there are always two sides to every story, but if this one does return to the market, im sure that I will look at it again.
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What a great pub,it as a great choice of beer and is very clean and friendly
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Whilst it is indeed sad and disappointing that the landlords do not seem to have changed their peculiar stance and have chosen not to respond positively to a remarkable flag of truce and friendly 'fresh start' proposal from a sizeable group of decent and long standing locals; it is at least heartening to see that I am but one of so many in my lamenting at the apparent passing of this once notable local drinking establishment.
Many tens of thousands have undoubtedly been spent on a major and much needed refurbishment of the property....... but for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Matthew 16:26 King James - Cambridge edition).
I am loath to admit defeat and do not go quite that far even now, but it strikes me that apart from hoping for a change in approach of the current incumbents, those concerned might also be well advised to work with and on the local Parish Council to ensure that without such a change, then at least there is no possible way for them to get any lease renewal or extension when the current period expires and that they are held to the very letter of their lease and other legal obligations in the meantime. As we know from great generals down the centuries, victory can be snatched from the very jaws of defeat by the careful deployment of a tactical and well organised retreat! Of course the key is to keep your tactics secret, so I hope Mrs D doesn't get to read this. Still wont tell her if you won't - promise :-)
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What a lot of fuss over an charming local pub.
The atmosphere may be idiosyncratic, but the physical environs are clean, fresh and new in an airport bar or hotel lobby sort of way . The host has 'interesting' views (some close to my own) which she happily shares without asking payment or favour or even listening to yours in return. Well it's probably best not to express any opinions at variance to the landlady's as clashing with the local milieu and micro Zeitgeist is just rude - when in Rome ,invade Poland or something similar ? Those weirdos and oddities able to think for themselves and with well reasoned, cogent and evidence based opinions and beliefs are just lefty troublemakers and obviously not welcome.
I find my ill thought out, irrational, xenophobic and bigoted views go down well and just don't understand the problems of my fellow locals with this establishment. Indeed I have been able to have detailed and interesting chats with the landlady about many of them and share my expert opinion on the whole matter.
Another attraction is the random opening hours. You just never know if it will be open or not which certainly adds a bit of excitement and spice to life - Well it can sometimes be quiet and dull here on the Blackdowns! Perhaps the only minor drawback of the place now is the recurring sense of loneliness as there are so few other customers - I just can't understand why. So don't listen to all the criticisms and complaints of others, think for yourself and give it a try. Well give it a try anyway.
As to complaints about the way the Parish Council have handled matters what another lot of fuss over nothing. The rent comes in so the Parish precept is protected. So loads and loads of locals have lost a well loved pub and meeting place which they happen to own and entrust to the care and control of the PC. But why on earth should the PC worry over this as they never used it much themselves anyway and can better spend their time objecting to the Strummer of Love licencing and babelling on about travellers sites and the like ! Lets not take local democracy too far and give sway to the decent and reasonable majority. That's communism or something else bad isn't it!
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What to say new? This pub has effectively been hijacked and stolen from its owners the local community. The current Landlords have zero interest in running a decent public house and seem to take pleasure in making this apparent too all and sundry. They are often rude, unpleasant and apparently unwilling hosts. Locals and casual visitors alike are treated with varying degrees of disrespect from slow begrudging service through to sharing arguments and outrageous opinions to being banned on an illogical fanciful whim.
The most ungracious and outright dismissal of the most generous olive branch offered by the 'Friends of the Clavel' action group says it all.
Locals (even Seb P!)now go elsewhere and passers by are strongly advised to do just that and pass on by. It probably wont be open , so no need to be too put out! Try the York inn in Nearby Churchinford or better still the Candlelight in Bishopswood for starters.
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I have used this pub for over 20 years, but no more!
The pub is a disaster area. They must have spent a small fortune on the refurb - but why they bothered is a complete mystery as they have got everything else about as badly wrong as is possible. Its the lack of beer choice and poor service and unfriendliness thats ridiculous. As to the opening hours and lack of signage they must be specifically designed to reduce the likelihood of customers! To say that pub is a disgrace and behaves unacceptably and the landlady's conduct is well unreasonable and sometimes well OTT and beyond the pail, is a bit like saying the BNP are slightly right of centre and perhaps not overly supportive of unfettered mass immigration.
Several locals(some of them friends) have been banned from the pub for no good reason at all. If the daughter were left to run it it might well have a chance but M J needs to be kept well clear of customers if it is to have a chance to succeed.
I agree with Entimologist that the parish council are hopeless and need a kick up the bum to solve this mess. The pub is only playing lip service to its contractual obligations and is running rings round the PC and thus spoiling years of drinking and meeting tradition for all the 'would be' locals.
Still, like many others, I have no idea what the game plan is, unless the premises are being used just for accommodation and running another business from.
So a significant piece of our local history and tradition is ground under foot - and we thought we owned it.
As to our friend Seb (yes I worked it out, and the aka aka bit -Entimologist!) - well he and his antics are indeed sad and rather pathetic, but that doesn't let the landlords or the Council off the hook.
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The Pub that dare not speak its name! (well the historic name board has mysteriously gone missing for months)
Support this place with your custom if you must, but you deserve so much better, whilst it doesn't deserve you, the honest decent drinker, eater whether local or passer by!
This historic, once noble, acclaimed, interestingly named Blackdown hills hostility seems to have finally met its Waterloo under its new (mis) management. Thought to be one of only two pubs in the country owned by a local Parish Council (Otterford in this case), it has been taken over and effectively denied to and destroyed for, much of the surrounding community by the current tenants who seem to care little for locals, tradition, decency or community spirit. Indeed the thinking of some is that they want it more for a home and possibly as a business base for other commercial interests than to run it properly as a decent community asset and public house.
It is strongly recommended that anyone who likes a good choice of draught real ales, a pleasant relaxed and convivial atmosphere and service with a smile from a friendly, smiling and helpful landlady keeps well away from this establishment. Erratic opening hours, an egregious and at times outrageous and intrusive landlady make this a 'pub too far' for most of us locals and thus a place best avoided until things improve.
I have read previous contributions about this pub and following on from Wormeryman, Molluscman and Colin Butler etc and the word is that a group of sincere and concerned locals got together and offered a generous and open olive branch to the landlady to try to get things back onto a reasonable equilibrium, but alas to little avail. The antics of the one local member of the Notty Ash diaspora managed to thwart the peace plan. Seb Pretill our very own Michael Garner aka aka! the leader of Churchinfords very own gang of one had been up to his tricks. It transpires that the aforesaid little sh one ! has peddled his sad mixed up and mixing up wares yet again with the landlady of this once august establishment. So a decent, honest and genuine peace plan of hope, of forgive and forget and of a fresh start was killed off at birth - thanks Seb, for your quite unique contribution to the local community.
Whether its back to South Africa or elsewhere eventually for the current tenant Cuckoos, it's simply the sooner the better for most of the locals. Still it looks like a long wait for the patient as the Parish Council, whilst purporting with bluff and bluster to sympathise and want change , in practice does quite remarkably little. Not our fault guv, jobsworth jobsworth, jobsworth! Well whatever else, this fiasco happened on their watch and under their eyes - so no doubt the local electorate will take full account of this when the time comes and little x's have to be placed in little boxes (I for one can hardly wait to wield my democratic pencil) - well we can but hope well for the future of local democracy if not for the short to medium term future of the once renown watering hole.
Luckily for all there are still several excellent alternative establishments in the area ready to welcome you and serve you well in a pleasant convivial and relaxed atmosphere - alas they are not owned by the community , rather just normal commercial enterprises.
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THIS PLACE WILL NOT SUCCEED THE WOMAN I THINK IS OFF THE PLANET ABSOLUTE CRAP SHE IS AND A DRUNK
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That worm man has a good point ..this boozer is an absolute nightmare !
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Recently changed hands, and the beer is well kept. However, the landlady is opinionated, gratuitously unpleasant, bigoted and loud. The hapless customer is subjected to a disjointed, irrational and abusive tirade of, illogical, ill informed and semi coherent rubbish. From the need to starve the unemployed to make them work, to allegations of serious but unspecified major corruption on the local parish council; and from unnecessary swearing in a putative refined if slightly slurred accent to allegations of the widespread child abuse and incestuous behaviour amongst the local population - a group she clearly despises (whereas virtually all other pubs in the area call them customers). If it weren't all so seriously unpleasant it might almost be amusing - all in all, not a pleasant place for a relaxing pint after a days work.
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I can't say that I'm suprised to learn this place may close. I should. It used to be a fine pub but no longer.
As said before, serving sour beer in dirty glasses is not the recipe for success, and when the barman who looks as though he has just been cleaning out the cow shed and hasn't had a bath for several weeks then tries to short change you something needs to be done.
perhaps the owners should sell up or employ a manager who knows what he is doing. It will not last long if it remains this poor.
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Have always heard good reports about this pub but was slightly disappointed. We parked at the rear car park and walked through the garden which smelled of sewage. The pub was freshly painted outside but was untidy around it. The Butcombe Gold was fine and the interior looked olde worlde with a few people eating. Shan't rush back.
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Something must be done! If pubs such as this fail, then the land might be green but pleasant it won't be. The very fabric of English society is threatened.
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I was surprised to hear the other day that this pub may be closing........if the previous report is true I am no longer surprised
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What a disaster! This is the worst pub I have visited for decades. The pub looks very tired from the exterior and things got worse when I entered. Whilst I waited almost ten minutes for anyone to appear at the bar it was obvious that the place was reeking of neglect and lack of variety. Just one flavour crisps and three real ales that were all undrinkable. Of four pints (two different types) purchased every one had huge amounts of scummy sediment on the bottom of the glass. When I went to return the beer no-one was at the bar for another ten minutes. Whilst all this was going on the only group of people eating in the pub walked out after waiting for an hour for salads and ploughman's. One of their party had already returned a dirty glass they were drinking out of and the next three glasses were dirty too. My advice is not to use this pub if you have any respect for hygiene, good beer or decent food.
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nice old cosy pub, especially in winter, but the locals know if you're not from round these parts ! (maximum accepted radius roughly 1 mile tops !)
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Great Pub and beer. My wife and I Were staying at the Holmbush Camping site behind the pub. Once the tent was erected i couldn't wait to try the local ales. As soon as we walked n we were made very welcome by the regulars, Richard (I think that was his name) was a very good host andrecomeded the best pint , which i agreed was the best I tried in a while. went back that night and a had Great meal, Ale and Night Food by Carra was Great. Many Thanks hope to see thenm again soon
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Really nice pub to visit after a long walk on a cold Sunday. A nice warm welcome and some very decent ales to choose from.
I always try to stop off here whenever passing.
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Apart from being too far from home, this is almost perfect.
Wonderful. the way a pub should be.
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The beer here is always top class and served in the proper westcountry style. Always has Butcombe, Butcombe gold and a geust. Good place for northerners to come to learn a lesson in how beer should be served lol!
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not a bad pub at all. nice location, comfy interior, pretty reasonable beer selection.....and a hell of a lot better place now post-smoking ban.
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What a lovely pub! Went here last Saturday and was made to feel vey welcome.Some lovely ales on too as well as a roaring log fire.Even the dog was happy with the biscuits he was given! Would defintetly go back.
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The current landlord/landlady have been here for ten years now, and the place has been consistently good throughout that time. Never had a bad pint here, seems to be a different geust on every week. Dogs are more than welcome.
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Have just rung to book a lunchtime venue and the gentleman I spoke to was so nice and helpful. If this is anything to go by I can't wait to sample the food!
young - 21 May 2007 14:46 |
The best thing about this pub is that u can go walking with ur dogs, and no-one minds them coming in a bit muddy. Wide variety of dogs can be seen here every day.
They seem to have a different geust beer on here each week and the quality of the beer has been consistently high over the last several years at least.
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Good local pub situated on the Blackdown Hills, serving good food and beer. Good atmosphere any time of the day. In the middle of nowhere so take the wife to drive you home - you may have to disguise your ploy by taking her there for a meal (suggest it for your birthday so that she pays)!!
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Just reading the name gives me a warm glow. There is no greater establishment on earth. I would happily die there. And I probably will.
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Fantastic pub, sadly located in the middle of nowehere, upside being there's a campsite just down the road if you can find your way there after xyz pints of Butcombe. Everything a pub should be, especially after pint z.
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Yesss!! the beer is amazin!! as are the cool dogs that hang there on a satudarday nite!!!
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We came for lunch and were tempted to spend the entire afternoon just hanging about by the fire. The previous comments say it all. I will return.
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Great pub, great ale, great food. A true country pub - no old cane rods or irrelevant black and white photo's here, just lurchers, muddy boots and people drinking. Great craic as well.
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Excellent freshly cooked food, allow time for it to be cooked for you. Good range of beers and super wine list. A rural gem.
RJB - 16 Oct 2004 14:05 |
Proper Somerset country pub. Whilst having a good food reputation and trade, this 14th Century inn has not been tarted up and remains a marvellous unpretentious pub, used by local farmers and villagers. Excellent ale and a mellow atmosphere made our summer evening visit a good experience.
Jimbo Smith - 1 Jun 2004 20:17 |
