Dave 's reviews
Review of El Macho Mexican Grill Restaurant
30 May 08, 16:45
Tequila! 
I love this place: tucked away in a terrace between the Phil and the Everyman it's great for a bit of pre or post show Mexican and they do some good lunchtime deals as well.
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Review of Bickington General Stores & Post Office
30 May 08, 16:42
Ideal
Since they decided to close Newport and Pilton post offices in Barnstaple so they could force you to queue out the door in the rain this is worth knowing about: a short car ride, and a lot less of a wait. It's a bit of an open all hours general store as well...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of National Portrait Gallery Giftshop
30 May 08, 16:41
You've been framed!
You've seen the picture, now buy the postcard! It's almost too easy to get carried away in here, and although the merchandise is a nice reminder of your visit it's never going to be as good as the real thing.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Exmoor Teddy Bear Co
30 May 08, 10:49
Christmas presents
These are proper teddy bears: the sort that are too nice to give to children! You can't help but think that most of them look like they'll end up being collected rather than hugged and loved. There aren't many places like this.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Monkey World
30 May 08, 10:31
Monkey Magic
I'm not a big zoo/animal person, but what I like about Monkey World is that you can see that they are actually trying to achieve something. Some of the visitor facilities are a bit dated, but's really about the primates not the people, and seeing them well looked after is the main thing.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ali's Alcove
28 May 08, 14:36
Kebabylon
This is the sort of place you wouldn't look at twice in daylight, but put your beer goggles on et voila! I believe it is traditional to spill most of your kebab on the pavement outside.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Theatre Royal Plymouth
28 May 08, 14:18
Show time
You get some surprisingly big pre and post West End touring shows in the main auditorium here, but I have always had a bit more fondness for the smaller Drum. You may not get the same size names/shows, but there's a bit more variety and new stuff.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Metropolitan Cathedral Of Christ The King Liverpool
27 May 08, 10:07
The concrete cathedral
I'm not sure if Paddy's Wigwam is a term of affection for this building or not. Someone else I know says it looks like a nuclear bunker. It's a victim rather than a product of its times, but it makes you stop and stand and stare and wonder and that's why we build cathedrals.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Liverpool Empire Theatre
27 May 08, 09:55
Applause
This is where all the big shows play when they come to Liverpool. It's one of those 'proper' theatres with the big stage and hundreds of seats. Maybe a little old fashioned in both form and content, but it's meant to be!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Tate Liverpool
27 May 08, 09:43
Art for art's sake
I'm one of those boring 'I don't know a lot about art, but I know what I like', and what I like about the Tate is that it proves to me that I don't actually know what i like either! I did see an original Warhol there though (or as original as Warhol gets) and that was a big thrill.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Jalapeno Peppers Mexican Restaurant
27 May 08, 09:12
Tequila!
Surprisingly funky for conservative with a small 'c' Barnstaple. It's more of a bite to eat before you hit the town party place rather than a romantic dinner for two venue and great fun. I'm addicted to the onion rings.
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Review of Roundswell Services
21 May 08, 13:27
Four star
One of the few 24 hour garages in this part of Devon, so it's ideal for those early starts when you're determined to beat the traffic. Also handy for the usual garage stand bys to tides you over on the journey like bottles of pop and vastly over priced sandwiches.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Padfields Of Barnstaple
20 May 08, 12:46
Take a seat. Or a bed. Or a...
I wonder why you'd go to one of the big sheds on the outskirts of town when you've got this place. It really is enormous inside, loads of choice, they know what they're talking about, and it's actually a little bit more contemporary than you think it is...
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Review of Wrey Arms
20 May 08, 11:31
Up in arms
Lots of room which sometimes means you end up using it as more of a 'function' rather than a 'party' pub, and as the nearest bar to the cemetary you often end up in there after funerals as well. The noisier bar tends to be the one on the left hand side with the pool table, locals and diners to the right please.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Harrods
19 May 08, 14:21
London's biggest corner shop
I like it even though I don't want to! It's maybe a tourist attraction rather than somewhere you'd want to go shopping, and let's be honest, who just pops in to Harrods for a few things? That said the Food Hall is a real treat!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Newton Abbot Races
12 May 08, 14:19
Under starter's orders
It's not as long a wait to get in as you have at Taunton on a bad day, but you still need to leave early to make sure you catch the first race. It's a good open course so you get to see pretty much the whole race which is a plus point over Exeter.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Sloane Square Underground Station
09 May 08, 16:40
Don't moan about Sloane
This place still has the old wooden escalators. It's a lot less jolly since they closed the pub! It's nowhere near as busy as you think it'll be even though it brings you out onto Sloane Square right next to the Royal Court Theatre.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Bideford Littleham & Westward House Cricket Club
09 May 08, 15:36
Four!
This ground is in a lovely location, right behind the beach! It's not the most spectator friendly pitch in the whole world, but the location more than makes up for it. Bring your Factor 15!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Cafe @ Foyles Bookshop
09 May 08, 10:28
Easy like Sunday morning
When you're wandering around lost on a Sunday morning this place opens hours before the shop, so it's a great place to gather your thoughts. Love the coffee, hot and strong!
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Review of Dafna's Cheesecake Factory
09 May 08, 09:41
Cheese and cake?
Used to go in here a lot when we were students! It was perfect for when you felt that you needed a treat or a reward for doing something above and beyond the call of duty. Like getting out of bed or actually making it to a tutorial... Sticky, sweet and truly scrumptious!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Hawkin's Bazaar
09 May 08, 09:38
Playtime
It's full of guilty places in here. I never thought that I'd see an Etch A Sketch again. Look out as well for the Mullet Top Trumps, they have to be seen to be believed! They're all toys that are just a little bit too good for children!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Lakeland
09 May 08, 09:36
It's twenty first century Tupperware
The sheer volume of non bio-degradable plastic in here does worry me a bit, but it's fully of handy stuff for the home and kitchen. Some of it you may get a little cheaper in Woolworths though...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The White Hart Hotel
09 May 08, 09:29
The Beer Grotto
There are lots of little hideaways in here where you can squirrel yourself away for a quiet pint, but beware! You are paying 'hotel' rather 'pub' prices. When the Exeter Winter Ales Festival was at County Hall this was a handy stop off on the way to and from the train station.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Jazz Band
08 May 08, 14:16
All that jazz!
Mmm ... nice! Well, somebody had to say it! The great thing about this band is that although they do play jazz, it's good time party jazz rather than the long winded stuff with endless solos. They enjoy themselves, but they want you to enjoy it too: great!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of National Trust
08 May 08, 13:53
Lovely Clovelly
When family or friends come to visit Clovelly is always a wonderful place to take them. I particularly like the walled garden which is on that big corner you swing around just before you get to the car park. Get out and walk down there, it's a proper Victorian walled garden, and they sometimes have some fruit and veg for sale too.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Duke Of York
07 May 08, 12:37
Seek and ye will find...
Possibly easier to get to from Doughty Street than down the Mews from Guilford Street The Duke (as they now like it to be called) still has a weird art deco atmos which is worth seeking out even if £3.30 for a pint of Adnams Broadside is a bit cheeky...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Krispy Kreme
23 Apr 08, 14:45
Ring or jam?
For too long now the ring donut has been stood in the shadow of its inferior jammy cousin so well done Krispy Kreme for putting it back where it belongs... I had no idea you could do so much with them and the great thing about this place is it's handy for the station so you can even take some home with you. If they last that long...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Foyles
18 Apr 08, 12:16
Lose yourself
Foyles is spread over five floors so it can be difficult to find what you're looking for, but sometimes I think that's the point! You can spend forever browsing and it's nice to come out with something totally unexpected!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of London Review Bookshop
18 Apr 08, 12:14
Hot hot hot!
The only reason that I've docked it a point is because of the heat: it's always hotter than the sun in this place! Likes to think of itself as a little 'better' than the big chains or Foyles which just means they do different gimmicks like singles nights! The good thing is that it's quality over quantity, and they have some interesting talks by authors too.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Pillars Of Hercules
18 Apr 08, 12:05
One of London's historic pubs
And you're not having to pay too much for your pint either which is a great relief in this particular part of town. Lots of nooks and crannies inside where you should be able to hide from all the hustle and bustle.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Hospice Shop
18 Apr 08, 11:42
Good cause
Like with a lot of charity shops the best things are all the stuff that you'd never thought you'd find in there. If you've got stuff that you don't want/need any more then you can drop if off here knowing that it may be able to do someone else some good.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Picture House At Fact
18 Apr 08, 11:14
That's a fact!
This is the place you go to see those films that they don't show at the Odeon on London Road. If it's foreign, if it's got subtitles, if it's in period costume then it's here!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Walker Art Gallery
18 Apr 08, 11:08
Impressive
The Walker Art Gallery's housed in a truly awesome building that tells you so much about Liverpool as a city. There are some big names here and famous pieces like And When Did You Last See Your Father? but it's the medieval pieces and the Pre-Raphaelites that always amaze me.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Empire Theatre
18 Apr 08, 11:03
A little old fashioned...
But this is the place in Liverpool where you get to see the big shows! It's a truly beautiful building, both inside and out which harks back to a forgotten golden age when you had those huge stage stars touring the country in varierty shows. The current line up still harks back to those days sometimes...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Hardings Leatherworld
18 Apr 08, 10:15
It's that smell!
It hits you as soon as you get inside the door! You really wouldn't think about going anywhere else for leather: the first thing you think of is jackets, but it's great for belts and for wallets and purses and for bags too.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Battle Zone
17 Apr 08, 16:18
Salute your inner geek
This is Barnstaple's dungeon for people who do role playing games and watch endless American Sci Fi series on the TV. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure to go in there and see all the toys: look out for Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Pelican
16 Apr 08, 15:54
Catch of the day
This place is always busy, but they don't keep you hanging around and a queue out of the door shows you they must be doing something right. I quite like those chicken portions they do: it's like a spicy KFC.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Graylings Fish & Chips
16 Apr 08, 13:48
Handy
No restaurant but there's always plenty of room in the car park outside so you can nip in, place your order, they sort you out as quick as you can and you're back at home in front of the telly quicker than you can say 'haven't we seen this before'?
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Real McCoy
16 Apr 08, 13:33
The Dressing Up Box
This place harks back to an era when people knew how to dress. If you were looking for fancy dress party costumes then this would be a good place to go: also handy for more formal items as well.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of E J Teare
16 Apr 08, 13:18
On the corner near the traffic lights
This is one of the few newsagents where you can still get a really good selection of children's comics. There's also two big walls full of magazines, so they're bound to have what you're looking for. A section toward the rear has greetings cards as well.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Country Cousins
16 Apr 08, 12:11
Nice carvery
We went there once for someone's birthday and they let you get what you wanted but insisted on carrying your plate back to the table for you: I don't know why, but it seemed really weird at the time. It's like they thought we were naught and might drop it. It was delish though.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Village Inn
16 Apr 08, 12:06
Sun trap
One of the nice features of this pub is the big conservatory you can sit in: it has its own car park as well which is always handy. There's quite a large dining room to the rear which may be a little on the pricey side but is very nice.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Pig On Hill
16 Apr 08, 12:03
Make a pig of yourself
I don't know where the name came from, but this place is full of pig memorabilia if that's the right word. Good food and lots of it. There used to a brewery out the back, but now its relocated to bigger premises but they still supply the ale and very good it is too! It's huge inside - maybe a little cavernous - so make sure you get a table near the fire if it's cold.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Black Horse
16 Apr 08, 11:58
Always busy
The Black Horse has got to be one of the most famous buildings in Torrington and it wears its history with pride. The bar is on the left as you go in with a surprisingly large restaurant to the rear: great for Sunday lunch.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Secret Garden
16 Apr 08, 11:48
Blooming lovely
This is good name for this place: it's tucked away at the end of a side street, and once you go through the shop there is a secret garden out the back with all their plants and the potting sheds. Nice people to deal with: very patient if you're not exactly sure what you want...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Coach & Horses
15 Apr 08, 17:15
Nice and cosy
I stumbled across this place quite by accident and I am very glad that I did! They had three real ales on which is always a good sign of a busy pub and a thirsty village! Seperate restaurant in a room away from the bar, but when I was there everyone was just drinking! Handy car park just to the rear.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Bridge Inn
15 Apr 08, 17:13
Unique!
Somebody once told me that The Bridge Inn at Bridgerule was the only Devon pub west of The Tamar. Mind you, I think that we'd both had a drink at the time...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Bush Inn
15 Apr 08, 16:58
Well worth finding
It's a little bit off of the beaten track (just follow the brown signs from the main road) but once you get there this is quite a lovely little country pub. Lots of horse brass, big wooden tables, you know the deal. I had a very nice ploughman's and a pint of Betty Stoggs: ideal!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Movie Mix
15 Apr 08, 16:55
Very handy
Without having this place in Bideford it would be a long trek to go all of the way to Blockbuster in Barnstaple for your DVDs. Not as many copies of the big releases as you'd get in Blockbuster but they've still got enough choice to make sure there's always something you wouldn't mind watching.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Watson's
15 Apr 08, 16:46
Extra extra
There's a huge number of magazines in here, but if you're having trouble finding the particular title that you're looking for just ask. I love the old fashioned shop front. The greetings cards may be a little old fashioned but they're a lot less than in Clintons next door.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Happy Pasty
15 Apr 08, 16:10
I can't wait for lunchtime...
The Happy Pasty wins the prize for the best sausage rolls in town! The hot filled rolls are beautiful too, but make sure you get in there early: they will sell out and you will frown! There're still lots of sandwiches and baps and the like to choose from as well.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of F R Way
15 Apr 08, 16:03
Sit on it!
It's a lot better than going to some of the big warehouses they have on the edge of Exeter and places like that. Because it's local they like to look after you, and they've got a huge selection of furniture in here: it's classic rather than contemporary.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Bideford Garden Centres
15 Apr 08, 16:00
I can dig it!
When I was in there I was amazed at how many of their customers they knew by name! You don't get service like that in a lot of places. It's good to see that some of the plants they're selling were grown here in North Devon: at least they'll be used to the weather!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Trawlers
15 Apr 08, 15:32
Do you want salt and vinegar on that?
This is our Saturday night treat! Freshly cooked, plenty of it, and they do all of your extras as well! Fish and chips aint fish and chips without your curry sauce and mushy peas and onion rings and pickled egg!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Appledore Inn
15 Apr 08, 14:54
A good drinking pub
And I can pay no higher compliment than that. Always a selection of real ales on, and normally one or two local ones. Check out the aquarium behind the bar! It's the local's local. The regular's regular.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Kings Arms Hotel
15 Apr 08, 13:11
I disagree with the previous reviewer
I'd call it cramped inside rather than small, but the low ceilings are part of its charm. Certainly one of the best real ale pubs in the town, but boy do they know how to charge for it!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Paper Mill Shop
15 Apr 08, 12:11
It's a craft shop
This isn't really the place to go for a ream of A4 or a copy of The Sun. They sell paper and card for craftwork so it's individual sheets of high quality stuff, all shapes and sizes, and they have all the funny scissors and stickers and prints and stamps too.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Thatched Inn
15 Apr 08, 12:01
Huge portions
They've normally got two or three real ales on including a local one. You can eat in the bar, but there is a seperate restaurant out the back as well. You'd be a crazy guy to order a starter, they do pile up the plate!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Plymouth Inn & Clowns Restaurant
15 Apr 08, 11:41
Probably the best real ale pub in town
I've had some quite jolly times in here! A friend of mine told me how she once ended up tied to the pool table on Cider Sunday. Probably best for drinking in rather than taking your girlfriend/mother in law/grand mother to.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Plaza 1 & 2
15 Apr 08, 11:29
I wish there were more cinemas like this...
It looks like this place hasn't changed in years! It's a real old fashioned picture house as opposed to a multiplex so it has some soul to it as well. No-one came out with a tray of ice creams like I thought they would, but there's a kiosk with snacks. Two screens, so you get some choice.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Prezzo
15 Apr 08, 11:26
Didn't realise it was a chain
I just thought it was nice and smart! Couldn't tell if the waiter was putting on the Italian accent or not, but the food was delicious, the service was probably the fastest and most efficent I've ever had and the price was very good too.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Exmoor Forest Inn
15 Apr 08, 10:29
Wipe your feet
After you've been out trekking across the Moor this place had got a huge roaring fire: it's the perfect place to dry out and get something to eat and drink. It is nice and smart so they do like you to take your muddy boots off first.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Dulverton Library
15 Apr 08, 10:19
More than books
As well as the library this building also houses a sort of Tourist Information Centre with all sorts of displays and exhibitions about Exmoor, its past and its people. Well worth a visit and it's run by people who are an absolute mine of information.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Foresters Arms
15 Apr 08, 10:12
Handy weekend hideaway
Stayed here for the night just as they were in the process of doing the place up, but they made us welcome and comfortable. Good value for money, some Exmoor pubs can be incredibly expensive. Good food and lots of it. Worth it just to see the parrot in the bar!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Woods
15 Apr 08, 10:07
Pie and a pint
A friendly little place with some local ales. The menu leans heavily towards pies which is ideal pub grub if you ask me. Right next to the car park (get somebody else to drive!) where they have that weird statue of Lorna Doone.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Boston Tea Party
15 Apr 08, 09:54
First stop
As soon as I get off the train at Exeter Central this is the first place that I go. It's a bit 'studenty' but in a nice and relaxed rather than a traffic cone on the head way. And I love the coffee. Treated myself to poached eggs on muffins once: it was fab!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Exeter Phoenix
15 Apr 08, 09:50
Music to my ears
I've seem some great bands here. I like the way that they do it as a seated venue when they think they'll get the oldies in, but they take the seats out again when it's someone they think you'll want to dance to!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Waterstone's
15 Apr 08, 09:24
Best branch in Exeter
This is my favourite of the two Waterstones in Exeter. It's not as cavernous as the branch up the road and it has as much bookshop atmosphere as you can get in one of these places. They do them stack 'em high sell 'em low bestsellers that all Waterstones do have to do, but they also make some effort with their displays to pick out some of the more interesting titles as well.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Read 'n' Return Book Shop
15 Apr 08, 09:19
Great Idea!
Basically it's a second hand book shop, but once you've read the book you can decide to either keep it or take it back. The great thing is that if you return it they'll give you back a percentage of what you originally paid for it: imagine going to the library but being paid to take your books back and you've got the idea.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Exeter Picturehouse
15 Apr 08, 09:10
A cinema for people who love film
The thing that I like about the Picturehouse is that you can see the films that don't make it into the multiplexes because they've filled up all of their screens with Die Hard 27 and Rocky 406. And it's licenced so you can buy a beer and take it into the auditorium.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Well House Tavern
14 Apr 08, 16:29
Well well well...
Right opposite the Cathedral so it's always busy. Nice range of beers and the food seems to be quite popular too: I think there's some sort of tie-in with Michael Caine's place next door. You're very much paying City Centre prices though...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Archway Bookshop
14 Apr 08, 16:14
Read all about it
This is a gorgeous little shop. The spiral staircase that takes you upstairs is just divine. And the good thing about this place is because it's independent they can sell you the books you want to read rather than the books they want you to buy.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Wellington Bookshop
14 Apr 08, 16:12
Well read
Too many bookshops concentrate on just trying to flog as many copies of the latest bestseller as they can. Here you're getting a real choice, and service from staff who have a passion for what they do and want to do it well.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Roman Baths
14 Apr 08, 16:01
Friends, Romans, Countrymen...
...lend me your ears. This is a case of everything you wanted to know about The Roman Baths but were too afraid to ask! They give you a headset so you can go on your own guided tour, but it will still take you a little while to get around the whole thing. Interesting and comprehensive.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of St John's Nurseries North Devon
14 Apr 08, 14:43
Dig in!
It's a lot more focussed on plants, seeds, tools and the like than some garden centres are, but oddly enough St John's seems to come into its own at Christmas. They really make an effort with their displays and they always have a huge choice of outdoor lights for the chav in you.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Fabulous Wine Co
14 Apr 08, 14:39
Cheers
A nice selection of wines and you feel that the guy running the place has chosen them all personally: nice work if you can get it! There are some good deals available when he chooses six bottles around a theme and boxes them up for you.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Orchards Farm Shop
14 Apr 08, 14:33
Small but perfectly formed
Ignore Tesco over the road: the veg they have in here is a lot better. There's also a good selection of dairy goods and some interesting stuff in packets! You'd be hard pressed to find any of it on the shelves in your supermarket.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Crafts At Griffins Yard
14 Apr 08, 14:23
Some pretty interesting stuff...
I'm bit sure how many places there are around South Molton where people can display their work like this so it's handy from that point of view. But is it art? You'll have to work that one out for yourself!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Taw Garages
14 Apr 08, 13:52
Fast and friendly
Whenever I've been in here with scratches and scrapes (not my fault, honest) they've always sorted it out really quickly. It's one of those places you always with you never had to go to in the first place, but they always make you glad you did!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Stag Inn
14 Apr 08, 12:50
Roaring log fire
I was in there on a Sunday morning and it was so packed you couldn't have dropped a Rizla paper on the floor. It just goes to show, if you light the fire, open the door, and keep decent beer people will come and drink it! It's not rocket science so why do so many pubs get it wrong?
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of London Inn
14 Apr 08, 12:36
Nice country pub
I love it in here: good beer and some great local character. It's great when the old boys come in and start talking. If you can understand more than one word in five you should get a prize!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Johns Supermarket
14 Apr 08, 12:13
Not just a shop, more a way of life...
Now that it houses the Post Office as well Johns has a bit of a monopoly on Instow but it provides a service that a lot of villages would die for and Instow would die without it. Convenience store, butcher, off licence and delicatessen.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Boathouse
14 Apr 08, 12:08
I saw John Craven in here once
That's my claim to fame! The best place to eat in Instow: fab views across the Estuary if you sit near the window at the front. Good food and lots of it. I love the big painting of Appledore that's up on the wall. The choice of real ale changes regularly.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Walkers Chocolate Emporium
14 Apr 08, 11:51
Chocaholics beware!
If you can't be trusted when it comes to chocolate then you'll get yourself into some real trouble in here. There's all sorts of shapes and sizes and most importantly flavours! Everything you thought it was possible to do with the cocoa bean and a few surprises as well...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ilfracombe Book Shop
14 Apr 08, 11:49
Always worth a browse
It's one of those bookshops that isn't really interested in just selling piles and piles of the latest bestseller, so the choice is a bit more rewarding than in some other bookshops. There's also an arts/crafts section at the back, and they do some jigsaws too.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of New Inn
11 Apr 08, 16:17
A lovely little country pub
The turning into the car park is a bit of a nightmare, but once you're there it's well worth it. This is a lovely little country pub, clean and warm, with some good beer. It's a shame that they close in the afternoons because I'd always like to stay for just a little bit longer...
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Review of The Lower House
11 Apr 08, 16:07
Vastly improved
I'm not a huge fan of the whole gastro-pub thing: a restaurant's for eating in a pub's for drinking in, but you've got to admit that this place is so much better now than it was in its old Kings Arms days.
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Review of Han Court Chinese Restaurant
11 Apr 08, 15:39
Lots of choice
It would take you months to eat your way through the menu at Han Court. When we go we all order something different and share. Try the hot and spicy soup, it's highly recommended!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Quay Cafe
11 Apr 08, 15:36
The Travellers' Rest
When you're out walking or cycling on The Tarka Trail this is a great place to stop. I believe that the building itself is a converted railway station and it's great for drinks and snacks.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Croyde Ice Cream Parlour
11 Apr 08, 15:22
Do you want a flake in that?
The great thing about this place is the variety of different flavours: you can have vanilla at home, you want something different when you're out. Always busy in the summer, but that's when people want ice cream!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Thatched Barn Inn
11 Apr 08, 15:20
The place to be in the summer
It's always jam packed full in the summer, but if you can find a parking space and a table it's well worth it. A bit surfy maybe, and they know how to charge, but it is Saunton: what do you expect?
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Hobb's Restaurant
11 Apr 08, 15:18
Hobson's Choice
It's a fancy menu, but the best thing on it is the simple stuff like the steak or the pizza. They could do with a bigger bar or somewhere to sit and drink before/after you eat. Lovely inside with the candles etc
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Sues Of Combe Martin
11 Apr 08, 15:13
Aladdin's Cave
I hate the expression Aladdin's Cave, but that's what this place is. It's ideal if you need a jigsaw puzzle or a knitting pattern or fireworks or anything like that. It's a bit of a rabbit warren as well so you're never really sure what you'll find around the corner.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Castle Inn
11 Apr 08, 15:04
Good times: if only I could remember them!
This is a real drinkers' pub! It's been in the Good Beer Guide for several years now and quite rightly so, but don't let that start you thinking it's spit and sawdust; it's light, bright and airy, and there's a huge function room as well.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Black Horse Inn
11 Apr 08, 14:12
Well worth finding
It's a little bit out of the way, but once you find it this is quite a nice little boozer. Always lively, they have a shove ha'penny table and I seem to remember that their tug of war team is quite formidable too.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ashford Inn Fruit Farm & Nursery
11 Apr 08, 13:44
Pick your own
You can get all sorts of fruit/veg in their little shop, and a couple of years back when I went in there one Hallowe'en they gave me the best recipe for pumpkin soup.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Banbury Garden Centrre
11 Apr 08, 13:40
Now called Trelawney at Ashford
And very nice it is too! It's very much a garden centre as opposed to a nursery (in that there's at least as much room for home furnishing as there is for plants and gardening equipment), but all the plants we've got there have survived despite our best efforts to the contrary.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Tarka Books
11 Apr 08, 13:25
Bargain books
It's well worth going to Tarka Books whenever you're looking for secondhand or out of print titles (although they do sell some new books as well). The great thing is that the stock's always changing so you never know what you might find.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Shoe Zone
11 Apr 08, 11:51
These shoes are made for walking
I can wear through any pair of shoes in ten seconds flat so this place is ideal for me. I can go somewhere else and pay £40 for shoes that'll have holes in before I've even had time to do up the laces or come here and get a pair of equal quality for a quarter of the price.
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Review of Somerfield Stores
11 Apr 08, 11:30
Tiny
Give this place an award. I think that Somerfield on Barnstaple High Street has got to be the smallest supermarket in the UK. You can normally find what you need it you can manage to squeeze past everyone who's trying to squeeze past you!
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