Pyne Arms

Our verdict

Formerly a village post office, the Pyne Arms in the historic Devon village of East Down, landed on the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list in 2021 in 32nd place, but has quickly risen up the ranks. The pub, whose building bears the hallmarks of ancient and medieval occupation, has risen this year to a comfortable spot within the top 20 and we can see why. Success has long been in the post for the Exmoor National Park pub with rooms, however, it has well and stamped its position as one of the greatest gastropubs in the country. A recipient of accolades such as Taste of The West Gold 2017/18, Devon Life pub of the year 2017, and Trencherman’s guide pub of the year 2018, owners Ellis and Amie Pannell brought the historic pub into the 21st century almost a decade ago. Now, the family-run Pyne Arms prides itself on welcoming guests with open arms to sample its “good honest” food and drink created using fresh and seasonal produce sourced from across the southwest. The pub offers everything from a Sunday roast to speciality fish alongside a seasonal menu featuring selected specials, as well as an extensive gin list and locally brewed ales. Emphasis is substantially on providing locally sourced food served with a modern twist, no matter the fish. Wherever possible, the talented chefs in the kitchen will use only ingredients that can be traced within a few dozen miles of the site itself. What’s more, tourist traps such as the National Trust property of Arlington Court, Watermouth, Combe Martin, Woolacombe, Saunton, Croyde, Lynton and Lynmouth are all within reach of the Pyne Arms and its two dramatic en-suite B&B rooms. As already mentioned, the building itself operated as a post office up until the 1950s before it was opened as a public house, a wise move we would agree.

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