Address:

Staple Cross Inn
Hockworthy
Devon
TA21 0HN.
(01398) 361374.

Hours:

Open all day

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Staple Cross Inn

This is a hard to find pub in a small village on the side of a hill. However, if you do take the time to find it, it will be well worth it. I guess you could call this a bistro pub of sorts in that it used to be an old fashioned pub where Wellingtons were welcome. These days it has more of a food air to it but still manages to serve a good pint of real ale from local breweries. You enter the pub from the front through an unheated porch and the bar is to your right. It is made of light-ish wood and has the appearance of being rough-hewn, but this is an illusion. A matching overhang holds the glasses. The floor here is old red tile and some of the walls are only half plastered to reveal the original stone walls. This is complimented by the black-beamed ceiling and low joists. In each bar area there is a wood-burning stove and sitting by the pile of wood takes you into the forest with its pungent, woodland smell. The long/thin single bar serves an area either side, both of which are very similar. Seating is at a mixture of round and square tables with black/pine chairs and some velour covered benches. The beer here on this occasion was Exmoor Ale and Cotleigh Tawny plus one other. All were served well and tasted good. There is a selection of wines for those who prefer it when eating. Talking of which there are two special eating areas, though you can eat in the bar too. Try to get in the one attached to the bar area and not the one out back by the kitchen. Not for any real problems, merely aesthetics to be frank. By the way, try not to look at the walls too hard if you are of the gentle persuasion as they have many dead/stuffed whole and part of foxes and stags. A bit grisly, but this is the countryside after all. The food is good quality with all produce bought locally and made to order so please be patient. Despite this being a way out from Tiverton, it can get busy for food of an evening, so get there early or give them a call to tell them you are on your way. During the week they serve food till 2.30 and from 6pm to 9pm. Access for the disabled is possible.