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Local Pubs & Restaurants

We have some great restaurants around us, from Ziangs at the Olde Chapel in Porlock for fabulous East Asian street food to The Porlock Weir Hotel and The Old Rising Sun in Lynmouth specialising in seafood and delicious local produce. You can read our reviews of the many other local eateries in our vistor's book. Just click on any of these thumbnails to be taken to their websites.

The Bottom Ship, Porlock Weir

The Bottom Ship, Porlock Weir

The 'Bottom Ship in Porlock Weir is one of the most picturesque pubs in the West Country, boasting a thatched roof and roaring fires throughout the year. It’s a favourite with ramblers. 01643 863288 (10/15 mins drive)

The Top Ship

The Top Ship

In Porlock (not Porlock Weir, don’t get confused!) is one of the busiest and most popular pubs in the area. It’s always busy, full of locals and has a great atmosphere all year round. Food can be good, too. Go for the Pork Chops in Cider if they have it on the menu. The corner of the lovely old bar is where the poet Southey used to sit. Tel: 01643 862507 (15 minutes drive) Southey wrote: “Porlock, thy verdant vale so fair to sight, Thy lofty hills, which fern and furze embrown,"

Ziangs

Ziangs

Fab Asian street food on your doorstep (almost!) Book ahead, it gets very busy. Click for details.

The Blue Ball Inn

The Blue Ball Inn

The Blue Ball Inn, in Countisbury on the way to Lynmouth is another local favourite. Sunday lunch is excellent value with the large variety of local vegetables being especially well cooked. 01598 741263 (15 mins drive)

The Porlock Weir Hotel

The Porlock Weir Hotel

Great hotel restaurant specialising in local produce and seafood such as the legendary Porlock oysters. It has a nice outside pizza bar, too.

Locanda

Locanda

Great little Italian pizza &/or delicious restaurant in Porlock Weir - recommended. Click here for details. Booking advised.

The Luttrell Arms, Dunster

The Luttrell Arms, Dunster

The Luttrell Arms in picturesque Dunster is one of the best local restaurants, offering high quality contemporary European cuisine and very good service in a beautiful setting. Not cheap, but good for special occasions. 01643 821555 (25 mins drive)

Cottage Inn, Lynbridge (Nr. Lynton)

Cottage Inn, Lynbridge (Nr. Lynton)

This is is a great new addition to the local foodie scene. It serves very tasty and authentic Thai food, and the starters are particularly delicious. Booking advised, as is calling ahead. Menu doesn't always include Thai specials at lunchtime. 01598753496 (20 mins drive)

The Crown Hotel, Exford

The Crown Hotel, Exford

The Crown Hotel, in Exford offers perhaps some of the best value in the area. The restaurant is first-class and the delicious cuisine is available in the bar (minus the twiddly bits like canapés and choccies.) I would recommend both the restaurant if you’re going out for a special meal and the bar if you’re taking the kids. The restaurant isn’t cheap but it’s very good - and the bar, with its occasionally raucous atmosphere, offers great dishes and some of the best value on the moor. 01643 83155

Tarr Farm Hotel

Tarr Farm Hotel

The Tarr Farm Hotel, above Tarr Steps - a stone age bridge not 40 minutes from here and a ‘must see’ - has gained an excellent reputation for itself. It has a tiny menu that changes daily and only uses local produce, so you can be sure it’s good. Apparently the venison is a winner. Just the thing if you’re going for a long tiring day on the moor and you want to relax in style. Tel: 01643 851507 (35 minutes drive)

The Royal Oak, Winsford

The Royal Oak, Winsford

Beyond Exford, this pub is a ‘must’. I think it has been voted one of the ‘Best Pubs in Britain’ and at times, it really is spectacular. The food is excellent and it has a beautiful, cosy atmosphere - especially beguiling in the Autumn and Winter when there are log fires. It’s really at the ‘heart of Exmoor’. 01643 851455 (25 minutes drive)

The Notley Arms

The Notley Arms

The Notley Arms in Monksilver is quite a long way away, about 35 minutes from here, but well worth knowing if you’re on your way home via the M5 (It’s just past half way to Taunton.) Excellent food (especially good value at lunchtimes), good atmosphere and fun for kids. Tel: 01984 656095 (35/40 mins drive)

The Raleigh’s Cross Inn

The Raleigh’s Cross Inn

The Raleigh’s Cross Inn in Raleigh’s Cross (on the scenic route to Taunton via Wheddon Cross) has also changed hands recently and is attracting glowing reviews. There are climbing frames and lots of other outdoor stuff for kids, too. 01984 640343 (35/40 mins drive)

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