Kings Arms

Bustling inn with relaxed bars and more formal restaurant, good ales and wines and enjoyable food; bedrooms

With a good mix of customers, appealing food and thoughtful choice of drinks, this rather smart inn is a popular place. The main bar has a pleasing assortment of local art (all for sale) on dark mulberry or cream walls, nice old carved wooden dining chairs and pine pews around a mix of tables, a slate floor and a woodburning stove. Leading off is a cosy room with sofas and newspapers on low tables. Butcombe Bitter and a couple of guests such as Butcombe Original, Otter Ale and Timothy Taylors Landlord on handpump are served from the rather fine granite bar counter; they also keep 16 wines by the glass, nine malt whiskies, 12 gins and local farm cider. To the left of the main door is an informal dining room with Jacobean-style chairs and tables on a pale wooden floor and more local artwork. The back restaurant (past the open kitchen which is fun to peek into) has decorative wood and glass mirrors, wicker or black leather high-backed dining chairs around chunky, polished, pale wooden tables on coir carpeting, and handsome striped curtains. The attractive courtyard at the back of the inn has chrome and wicker chairs around teak tables under green parasols; a smokers' shelter overlooks a croquet lawn. Bedrooms are contemporary, comfortable and well equipped.