Hunters Inn: "Hunters Inn For Lunch" Top 5 Page for this destination Lynmouth Restaurant Tip by johngayton

The Hunters Inn is a bit out of the way to go for lunch - 7 miles along the South West Coastal Path to be precise, and a hard 7 miles at that. It is however well worth doing the journey, not so much for the food and beer at the destination but for the spectacular journey itself.

You'll find an account of the journey on my Off The Beaten Path Tip elsewhere on this page and so I'll simply review my lunch here.

The Hunters is a striking building set in a stunning location.

Apparently it started off as a humble cottage which has been extended continuously from late-Victorian times and is still in the process of evolution. Its present-day exterior is sort of mock-Tudor but none the worse for that and it does have visual character. Inside is a bit ramshackle but tastefully furnished with plenty of natural wooden fittings and interesting knick knacks - I seem to recall a grand piano somewhere.

The location, nestled by the river in the Heddon Cleave, is difficult to beat and pub's gardens out the back manage to combine formal touches with carelessly-cultured wilderness allowing it to blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Out front it faces the National Trust Heddon Valley visitor complex with whom it shares a discretely out of the way car park.

As a pub it offers a superb selection of real ales, including its own brews, and has a tucked away proper public bar away from the main restaurant.

Sounds good so far?

Hmmm...but then I find my little niggles. There was something soul-less about the service. OK it was a stunning July lunchtime and the place was busy. The staff were a bit rushed but everyone in the queue seemed good natured and happy to wait - I should know I was in the queue for about twenty minutes.

I think the problem was the menu. Because it was very aggressively priced - a sandwich was seven quid, as were starters. Main courses averaged about 12. What people were ordering were sides rather than proper food - four people next to me had ordered 2 portions of chips, 2 side salads and a basket of bread between them. Another table of two had one sandwich and a bowl of chips to share.

I find this a lot in my travels. Places that are trying to be something they shouldn't be. It's just as much work for the staff to bosh out junk as it is to do proper food at reasonable prices and the staff don't get the satisfaction to be gleaned from happy customers.

Ach maybe that's just me but pubs are my game after all - from both sides of the bar.

Favorite Dish: Having said that I had a perfectly tasty light lunch - "Game Terrine with Crispbread and Homemade Pickle" washed down by a couple of pints of the local beer. The fourteen quid it cost though was not value for money.

However the journeys there and back (I returned over the moor) were priceless and free!!

Address: Hunters Inn!!
Comparison: more expensive than average
Directions: In the cleave of the River Heddon, about mid-way between Lynmouth and Combe Martin.
Price: US$21-30
Rating: 2
Theme: Pub/Brewery
Website: http://www.thehuntersinn.net/