our little black book

The following is an up to date list of all our favourite places to eat and drink around Exmoor and beyond. All involve a little drive (you can’t get anywhere very fast on Exmoor!) between 15 and 35 minutes. Please enjoy, and don’t forget to mention that Heasley House sent you!

Woods wine bar, Dulverton

This is truly our favourite restaurant locally, maybe the whole country! In fact this warm and cosy delight has won best Wine Bar of the Year for the last 4 years running. The food is always excellent and the wine list is superb. Dulverton is a stunning village and well worth a visit on it’s own, but don’t leave without having a long lunch at Woods! BEST FOR: Long lazy lunches and spoily suppers.

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The London Inn, Molland

A lovely local pub that is easy to get to, and on a sunny day has a lovely dog-friendly beer garden with fantastic views. The food is normally excellent and often amazing. Great skittle alley…. BEST FOR: G&T’s in the sunshine, & proper ‘local’ pub with strangely good grub.

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The Mason’s Arms, Knowstone

A fabulous little pub serving michelin-starred dishes cooked by renowned chef Mark Dodson. This is somewhere to go for a proper treat and has truly first class service to go with the experience. And if you just want to go for a drink, then this 13th century thatched Inn still serves as a wonderfully cosy pub. BEST FOR: Special treats, fine dining.

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Featured

The Rock Inn, Georgham

Lively, cosy atmosphere, welcoming chirpy staff and really tasty, top notch food. BEST FOR: Pub lunch after long walk on the beach

The Stag Inn, Rackenford

Lovely little pub recently refurbished, very friendly staff and a cracking new young chef. BEST FOR: Unexpectedly amazing food at a very reasonable price.

The Swan Inn, Bampton

A fabulous dog friendly pub and restaurant. The staff are very welcoming, the atmosphere is lovely and cosy, and the food is amazing and all freshly cooked to order. BEST FOR: When you want to go to a relaible, smart pub.

Saunton Beachside Grill

Great location with cracking sea views from the balcony. Dog friendly on the balcony also which is brilliant. Food selection is varied and good range for all tastes. BEST FOR: Ice cool pints of Estrella in the sun after a cracking surf.

Tarr Farm Inn, Withypool

A really lovely pub in the middle of the beautiful Devonshire countryside. The food is good, traditional pub food, and the drinks are reasonably priced. Very lovely on a sunny day! BEST FOR: Friendly beers at the bar after an epic walk along the river Barle.

The Boathouse, Instow

Lovely lunch & dog friendly. The staff are friendly & it’s a warm setting with a spectacular terrace for sunny days. BEST FOR: Ideal place to have a meal after a good walk along Instow beach.

The Bell Inn, Chittlehampton

Very lively pub in a pretty village. No designated car park but plenty in the village square opposite. Its well known locally and every night we’ve been there it’s been chokka block, so it's necessary to book in advance! BEST FOR: Meet some cheerful locals in this lively family-run pub, which also serves amazing curries!

The Black Venus, Challacombe

Fantastic little pub that don’t take bookings, you just pitch up and it always seems to work out. Beautiful drive there from Heasley House, up through Simonsbath and across the moor. BEST FOR: Last minute when you haven’t booked anywhere, but also a cracking pub in it’s own right.

The Rising Sun, Lynmouth

A wonderful spot in a wonderful place. Great food, friendly staff, the bar /pub always has a good mixture of locals and guests and a great atmosphere. BEST FOR: A very nice place to eat and drink in one of North Devon’t most intriguing villages.

The Ship Inn, Porlock Weir

Proper old thatched-roof pub just along from the harbour with a lovely old interior and good range of local beers and ales. Old fashioned pub fair at a very reasonable price. BEST FOR: Old school pub right next to the harbour.

Hunter's Inn, Heddon's Mouth

Fabulous position giving plenty of walking options, from a woodland walk to the sea or the nearby Valley of the Rocks. The food is nice and the bar well stocked. BEST FOR: Welcome reward after a spectacular coastal walk.

Poltimore Arms, Yarde Down

This is unlike any pub you will ever visit. Probably best to have no expectations but rather just a good sense of humour and adventure….what this pub lacks in electricity it makes up for in spades of soul. It is honestly a true gem that we are lucky to call our local. BEST FOR: Putting the world to rights with a well-loved landlord!