The New Inn, Blagdon, Somerset, 01.03.09

The 1st of March is officially the first day of spring (if you're a MET office employee). Nonetheless, the day lived up to expectations in the South-West with plentiful sunshine despite the typically optimistic forecast for black clouds. What better Sunday to take to the hills- the Mendip hills to be precise. A quick jaunt to Cheddar Gorge was necessary to accessorise with an Ordance Survey map. The tatty gift shops and cheese making experiences all get a bit overwhelming, and after a quick ride up the Gorge to Velvet Bottom (no, I'm not making this up), we set off across the Mendips.



Lunch had been planned, in so far as that we would have it at Blagdon. Blagdon is a fairly expansive and pretty affluent village on first impressions. As we dipped down into it, we were confident we'd find the pint of Butcombe ale we were thirsty for. When it comes to pubs, Blagdon is more of a challenge than we'd reckoned. The Seymour Arms was uninspiring and empty; the Queen Adelaide boasted open all Sunday but was firmly closed; and the Live and Let Live advertised "under new management" and seemed to have a resident man in a baseball cap with frightening breed of dog guarding the entrance. Spirits were low, stomachs were empty. Then we discovered the smarter end of Blagdon (near the church of course) and The New Inn. Good food, real ales- tick, tick.

There's no beating around the bush. The menu reads like a pub standard and the brass rubbings, beams, and open fire all fit in with the portrayal. The food is definitely at the higher end of pub grub, but not yet spilling into gastro. Fish and chips is generous and freshly battered. The sausages are of wholesome and good quality. The roasts on other tables look old fashioned but come with all the trimmings.

The most spectacular part comes in the beer garden- Wadsworth ale in hand, gazing over Blagdon Lake in the afternoon sun- location, location, location.