Huish Episcopi
Somerset
TA10 9QT
01458 250494
Eli Scott took over the running of the Rose and Crown in 1920 and the pub is still in the same family today. Like many family owned pubs untroubled by brewery marketing departments, the pub has stayed pretty much unchanged since then (photo 1). The pub is known locally as Eli’s and since I was last there his name has been cut into the thatch. Nice touch (photo 3).
The Rose & Crown is one of only six in the country to not have a bar counter. The handpumps are against the wall in the flagstoned serving area where customers and pub staff mingle. Two of the six handpumps are rare and unusual, and resemble signal box levers.
Four rooms lead off from the serving area, two of them original. One of these was once known as the Ladies Bar and is now called the Piano Bar. The other is called the Mens Kitchen, and has a flagstone floor and an old range. As the name suggests it was once men only, but it was also once used for step dancing.
Teignworthy Reel Ale is the regular beer, along with two guests and there is a choice of real ciders. Food is served lunchtimes and evenings, except Sunday evenings. A food coop turns up on Friday evenings to sell organic produce.
If you have a campervan or motorhome and are a member of Brit Stops you can park overnight.
