The Queens Arms, Corton Denham

Having just rated the Halfway House at Pitney I now move on to rate this pub, the two are in many ways similar in my eyes, they just offer a different experience. Having read the reviews of the Halfway House that hark on about Range Rovers and now I come to this place and a similar thing occurs, it's all really quite amusing.

If the Halfway House is simple, rustic and homely, the Queens Arms is smart, stylish and homely. Thought has gone into everything to make it a destination for many locals (in fact talking to a barman the other day - of all these so called Londoners that invade the place, it's only the rooms that are invaded, the majority of pub are people from a few miles away) to eat tasty, clever food from local produce and drink local ales and ciders or choose from the best selection of bottled beer I've seen in the southwest and a great wine list.

The

I feel as comfortable here as I do in the Halfway House, both places have atmosphere and both places have friendly, enthusiastic young staff. I'm rating these on the same day because they are my two favourite pubs in Somerset.

10 Jun 2008 14:59

The Halfway House, Pitney

I am generally comfortable enough in myself to be more concerned about atmosphere, drink, sometimes food and staff than what my fellow customers decide to drive, wear, talk about, drink. Snobbery, anti snobbery, inferiority, etc. are all very sad human traits.

This is a cracking pub. It has genuine atmosphere. This is backed up with a great selection of (sometimes too many similar styled) local ales, farmhouse cider, simple but effective wines and some good bottled beer and spirit selections. The food is hearty, rustic, homely and extremely reasonably priced. Price is not really something that I base my decision to visit places on and a lot of places probably can't afford to have prices this low, but it's a bonus!

I've met farmers, thatchers, carpenters, accountants, property developers, people from the city, people from the country, people from the country that moved to the city and are just visiting, people from the country that moved to the city and have now moved back, people from the city who have moved to the country and people from the city who are just visiting. Plus some Americans, New Zealanders, Aussies, French and others. Some of all types are nice, others are not. This is life.

Get over yourselves and start enjoying things for what they are and what they offer, not what nuance you canhave a moan about. Go and drink Archers beers and drown in your own misery. I for one am having a great time.

10 Jun 2008 14:48