Cherub Inn, 13 Higher Street, DARTMOUTH, TQ6 9RB [Map]
01803 832571http://www.the-cherub.co.uk/ 
11-14:30, 17:30-23 (11-23 summer)MO-FR; 11-23 SA; 12-22:30 SU
Evening Meals, Real Fire, Lunchtime Meals, Quiet Bar

Teresa, Ga, Jo & Tony Pie outside the Cherub, April 2005

What a great place to end a fantastic day's winter walking along the South West Coast Path. There are few dry, mild and sunny days with light winds in January and we were fortunate to be treated to the only one that year that fell over a weekend. Brixham to Kingswear is an 11 mile hike along spectacular coast and a challenging one at that with much climbing and descending along the route. Cirl Buntings at Berry Head, stonechats flitting nervously from bush to bush, fulmars soaring above the cliffs and if you’re lucky a porpoise or dolphin at sea it’s certainly a walk to remember. In Kingswear, the short trip across the Dart on the passenger ferry, a left turn past the New Angel restaurant, a right turn up the first side street and a short ascent up some narrow steps brings you to the wonderful oasis that is Dartmouth’s Cherub, it’s upper floors leaning outwards into the street.

The Cherub dates back to the late 14th century. It's reputed to be the oldest building Dartmouth and it has fortunately retained many original features including some hefty timbers from old sailing ships. It was apparently formerly a Merchant House, and gentlemens club but is now very much a pub for all (well, if you ask them nicely they might let you bring well-behaved children into their upstairs restaurant). The southern end was destroyed by fire in the mid-19th century and was very nearly bombed in the Second World War. Fortunately though the pub survived and is remarkably intact for its age with a fantastic cosy main bar area with low beams, lovely leaded windows and a very warming stone fireplace. You’ll have to arrive early though it you want a seat, though there’s generally a reasonable throughput of people in the bar area.

Decent real ale is always on offer such as Sharps Doom Bar, one of my favourites, along with Cherub, a house beer brewed by Summerskills. One, maybe two guest ales are often also available. Bar food from soup and sandwiches upwards is available at lunchtimes and during the evening. There’s also a non-smoking restaurant on the two upper floors where you can enjoy a range of freshly prepared excellent food sourced from local suppliers. They are well known for their fine local fish and game.

Me, Jim, AJ, Penny & friend in Kingswear, April 2004