Lord Poulett Arms, Hinton St. George, Somerset
Right in the middle of the attractive Hamstone village of Hinton St George in Somerset, the Lord Poulett Arms has the accolade of the Good Pub Guide Somerset Dining Pub of the Year several years running, including 2018, and it even made it into the Sunday Times top Britain’s 100 Best Restaurants in 2017. It’s been a pub since 1680, and if you want to know what all the fuss is about you should go there because it’s gorgeous. Inside it’s all chunky beams, heritage colours on the walls and period furniture, all a little mismatched and delightfully stylish. Antique rugs lie on flagstone floors, open fires blaze in huge inglenook fireplaces in the colder months; pull up a chair and play chess whilst you sip something exquisite from the wine list.
If the weather is good then don’t miss the chance to dine alfresco; there’s a wonderful French inspired knot garden where gravelled paths lead between box hedges and lavender; roses and lilac tumble together, and you can sit beneath a wisteria clad arbour or play Boules. Beyond is the wilder, quintessentially English garden which has a Five’s Wall, hammocks to laze in, charming love seats and apple trees heaving with mistletoe.
The menu changes with the seasons but it's all divine, with mains including Roast rump of Mendip lamb, Boulangere potatoes and Spring leeks, Pan roasted squab pigeon with broccoli, baked radish & Spring truffle bread pudding, and Red lentil dahl, roast cauliflower, poppadom, chutney & coriander.
The service is top notch, the ambience incredibly relaxing; dogs are welcome in the bar.
Open: Mon-Sat 11.00am-11.00pm Sun: 11.00am-10.30pm
T: 01460 73149 All information correct at the time of writing