Originally three 16th century cottages the inn became a stopping-off place for travellers on the packhorse route between Okehampton and Tavistock. The name has changed from the Elliott Hotel to the Bullers Arms to its present name. In mid-summer Garry and Kim Lee became the new landlords so of course we thought we had to make a visit and see what was on the menu. We found the inside to have been given a face lift making the dining room light, bright and airy, all the tables had little pots of fresh flowers. There was also ‘easy to listen to,’ background music. In the bar area there is a wide screen television. On the printed menu we found a choice of seven starters with prices ranging from £2.95 - £4.95: main meals £5.25 - £16-75: grills £8.95 - £11.95: snacks £3.95 - £4.95: salads £5.50 - £5.95: side orders £1.75 - £2. There was no specials board and the waitress told us what was on offer for      

This lovely thatched 17th century building has remained unchanged for over a hundred years, no modern make over here. It is very basic inside, not even a ‘bar’. Originally known as The New Inn it later became the Druids Arms in 1873, and then changed to the Drewe Arms with the arrival of the Drewe family in the 1920’s. Julius Drewe persuaded the brewery to change the name and offered to pay for a new sign bearing the family coat of arms. A young lad from the village was sent by pony and trap all the way to Yeoford Station to collect the sign, but instead of being made in wood he found a very heavy sign and frame made from wrought iron. This sign is still outside the inn today. The Mudge family were landlords for almost one hundred years with Alfred becoming the landlord in 1906 and then in 1919 Ernest and Mabel Mudge took over. When Ernest died in 1971 Mabel carried on until she was 99 years old. Ernest and Mabel had previously been landlords of the Judge Jeffries Inn at Crockernwell.

As we were going to walk in the Teign Valley below Castle Drogo we thought lunch at this inn would be a good idea, it being some time since we had been there, and it now had a different landlord. There is quite an extensive printed menu and we found the prices for starters ranged from £4.95 - £6.95: side orders £1.95 - £3: grills £8.95 - £17.95: main meals £7.95 - £14.95: platters £6.95 - £7.95: salads £8.95 - £12.95: children’s’ menu £4.95 - £6.95. There was a ’specials’ board with six fish dishes to choose from. Desserts were all priced at £4.95.

I chose the vegetable bake which was made up of Devon baby potatoes, onions, tomatoes, hard boiled egg with a cheese topping this came with a mixed salad. The portion was large and I think could have been enough for two people, the salad was also quite large, unfortunately I couldn’t finish my meal and I really do not like leaving food. The Editor had the chicken and apricot pie which again came with Devon baby potatoes, peas and a rich chicken gravy. Both meals cost £8.95. We enjoyed our meals although we did think the menu a bit pricey, but the portions were very generous. Although we really didn’t have any room we decided to share a dessert and chose the apple, apricot and treacle pie with custard, this was very rich and I would have liked more custard. All orders are cooked to order and we waited roughly half an hour but they came up hot, served on hot plates. Coffee was £1.50 - £2: hot chocolate £2. No tea. We would be happy to eat here again.

Tel: 01647 281224
Toilets: Clean and tidy
Staff: Friendly and helpful
Ales: Druid cask, Otter Ale, Otter Bright, Jail Ale and five draught beers
Car park: Parking area at the rear of the inn, village square and the village car park