The 12 Best Exmoor Pubs

I’ve decided not to try to sell you the idea of a delicious pint in a delightful pub. We love pubs, and we assume you do too, since you’re here reading this article. So, without further ado, we give you our legitimately luscious list of the 12 best Exmoor pubs. Because what sort of Exmoor based blog would we be without an Exmoor pub guide?!

1. Woods Pub & Restaurant

Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9BU

Woods is a seriously upmarket pub, but it is a pub – and an award-winning one at that. As the name would suggest, this pub comes with a restaurant which uses locally sourced ingredients for mouthwateringly good food. The pub itself is just gorgeous; beautiful dark wood, decor that exudes character & class and a darling little courtyard garden for outdoor drinking too. Whether you’re looking for fine wine or a proper pint, this is the number one place on Exmoor to enjoy a drink in style. It’s so good the Prince & Princess of Wales have apparently eaten there on more than one occasion. Clearly, it’s Exmoor pub royalty 😉

(Well behaved dogs & children are welcome.)

Click here for more info.

2. The Exmoor White Horse Inn

Exford, Somerset TA24 7PY

The Exmoor White Horse Inn, on the river in Exford, has been around for centuries. And for the last 34 years this glorious establishment has been run by husband & wife dream team, Peter & Linda. A beautiful building covered in vines situated right by the bridge in the centre of Exford, it’s impossible to miss and there is a lovely garden with tables right along the river’s edge out the front – particularly gorgeous when the sun’s out. Not only do they serve food all day long (with a smarter restaurant open in the evenings & for Sunday roasts), they also boast the largest collection of whiskeys in the South West of England. They have bottles hanging from the ceiling in their whiskey cave which is pretty cool too. Undoubtedly, one of the most impressive Exmoor pubs.

(Children welcome & dog friendly in some areas.)

Click here for more info.

3. The Ship Inn, aka: The Top Ship

Porlock, Somerset TA24 8QD

Exmoor’s oldest pub, The Top Ship Inn is known to date back to at least the 15th Century! This cosy little village pub is delightfully unique. You’ll find it full of bric-a-brac, tchotchkes and old film posters, with super friendly staff serving you local ales, ciders and scrumptious pub grub. Their sprawling terrace out the back has loads of seating and a kids’ play area, so the outside really comes into its own in the summer, but in the winter, it’s the perfect locale to cosy up inside, with not one but two fireplaces to sit beside and a little alcove table if you want to keep it intimate. The Top Ship often does live music, pub quizzes and special offers/menus for occasions such as Valentines Day too. This pub really gives heart & soul to pretty Porlock and we highly recommend.

(Kids & dogs welcome.)

Click here for more info.

The Top Ship Pub for friendly, tasty food

4. The Ship Inn, aka: The Bottom Ship

Porlock Weir, Somerset TA24 8PB

Down the hill in Porlock Weir, this pub is The Top Ship’s sister and is equally awesome – but in different ways. For starters, it’s a by the beach. So all their outdoor seating is out the front of the pub, looking out to sea, and the good news is they have lots of it. They need lots of seating, if not just for their annual beer festival, Weirfest! If you’re there the last weekend of June/first weekend of July then you are in for a treat – live music, a range of food options served all day including hog roasts and 50+ real ales, lagers & ciders. But whatever the weather, it’s a great place for a seaside pub lunch or a cosy pint in the low ceilinged, traditional dark beamed mariners’ bar.

(Kid & dog friendly.)

Click here for more info.

Jamie (Nors FB Marketing) and Alistair (AlistairBerry PR)- both experts in their fields, we are very grateful for their help and guidance in marketing and PR.

5. The Royal Oak Inn

Winsford, Somerset TA24 7JE

This gorgeous, thatched roof village pub looks like something right out of a storybook. It really is a beautiful spot, with the river flowing right past it, under the old stone bridge and with pretty pastel painted neighbouring houses, so definitely worth stopping by for a drink if only to take in the surroundings. They also do food and as well as sourcing local ingredients they are proud to make everything they can in house – including bread, sauces & ice cream! They also regularly do pizza nights and occasional pub quizzes too.

(Family friendly & definitely dog friendly!)

Click here for more info.

6. The Bridge Inn

Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9HJ

This lovely establishment is an Exmoor favourite. Come rain or come shine you’ll find what you need at The Bridge Inn, welcoming in you, your friends, your family & most definitely your dog. Come clad in muddy wellies looking for warmth, a pint & a pie straight off the back of a brisk countryside walk, or make plans to leisurely lap up light food & wine in the sunshine overlooking the river.

(Dogs actively encouraged – owners & children welcome.)

Click here for more info.

7. The Royal Oak Inn

Withypool, Somerset TA24 7QP

This adorable family pub dates back to the 18th Century! Nestled in the heart of winsome Withypool, it suits its almost Wes Anderson-ly quaint surroundings perfectly. This Royal Oak offers you cute old school pub interiors to cosy up in during the winter and, as well as traditional pub tables along the lovely street-side exterior, the car park on the hill behind the pub has had a modern makeover with an outdoor bar & seating area positioned perfectly to capture afternoon sun. They regularly hold events such as gigs, quizzes, bingo & karaoke and offer a wide variety of pub food menus too.

(Dogs & children welcome.)

Click here for more info.

8. The Tarr Farm Inn

The Tarr Steps, Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9PY

The ancient clapper bridge that goes across the River Barle, known as The Tarr Steps, is one of Exmoor’s most special locations. It’s a completely magical part of the countryside, and just up the hill from it is a pub called The Tarr Farm Inn. This picturesque countryside pub boasting glorious gardens, dates back to the 17th Century. The bar is cosy and chic with beautiful wooden booths & tasteful soft furnishings, and their food is award winning. It really does need to be on your list if not only for its truly unique surroundings. In the summer you could even go wild swimming after your lunch!

(Family & dog friendly.)

Click here for more info.

9. The Staghunters Inn

Brendon, North Devon EX35 6PS – (near Lynton)

So far we haven’t given you nearly enough Exmoor pubs to work with on the Devon side! Well, fear not, because this one’s a doozy. Situated in the bewildering Brendon valley, right on the the East Lyn river, The Staghunters Inn is a fabulous place for a pint. And you don’t have to take our word for it, they’ve been included in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide multiple times and pride themselves on their well stocked cellar and Exmoor Real Ale. Currently only serving food in the evenings, but the bar is open for business as usual. Definitely a dreamy spot for drinking rosé by the river when the weather warms up.

(Dogs & children welcome.)

Click here for more info.

10. The Grampus Inn

Lee, North Devon EX34 8LR – (near Ilfracombe)

All the way over in the most North Western corner of Exmoor, near Ilfracombe, is The Grampus Inn. This is an absolutely stellar spot. Just a stone’s throw from the stunning Lee Bay beaches, this Exmoor pub is a wonderfully lively and happy place. Music lovers, note that they do an open mic every Friday night from 8pm. They serve food every day from 12pm-3pm and Monday-Saturday from 6-9pm too. Inside, it’s comfy old armchairs by the wood burner fire, and outside, there’s a delightful pub garden, with fire pits for outdoor open mics on summer evenings. They brew their own ales, distill their own gin & often have delicious freshly baked cakes on offer too! When it comes to Exmoor pubs, what more could you ask for?

(Children & dogs welcome.)

Click here for more info.

11. The Ancient Mariner

Lynmouth, North Devon EX35 6EL

The Ancient Mariner is a particularly good stormy weather pub. After the winding streets of Lynmouth, with its an eclectic mix of junk stores, art galleries, craft shops & pasty sellers you will find this marvellous maritime themed establishment a few doors down from the Cliff Railway. You’ll feel like a pirate, just landed safely on dry land after sailing the seas as you go and seek out drink and a hearty meal here. The crew here source absolutely everything they can locally. And not just the food, they also have an impressive selection of local craft beer, ciders, lager, and even local gin & rum! There’s bar food in the pub – decorated with all sorts of sea-faring treasures, as well as a lovely smart restaurant for finer dining (highly recommend for a romantic dinner) and a deck up top, looking out to sea for fair weather days.

(Dog & family friendly.)

Click here for more info.

12. Exmoor Distillery

Unit 5, Barle Enterprise Centre, Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9BF

OK, so this isn’t a pub. But it’s got booze! So we thought we’d throw it in as a bonus for you. The Exmoor Distillery was founded in 2017 and has since been brewing beautiful botanical spirits. We love supporting local businesses, especially when they craft their products with as much care as these guys do. They are open for tastings & tours of the distillery 7 days a week, which take less than an hour and cost £12.50pp. It’s a beautifully designed, smart place to visit – so why not head there for a drink? (Even better – during cocktail hour*!) We can promise it’ll be a barrel of laughs!

(Dogs are welcome on site but not allowed in the production area.)

Click here for more info.

*enquire directly with the distillery for dates/timings on this.