Gerrard Arms, St. Andrews Square, COLYTON, EX24 6JN [Map]
01297 552588 
11-15, 17:30-00 (01 FR) MO-FR; 11-15, 18-01 SA; 12-15, 19-01SU
Evening Meals, Beer Garden, Lunchtime Meals, Tram Station Near Pub, Campsite At / Near Pub

AJ outside the Gerrard Arms, July 2002

Weren't expecting to end up at the pub when we visited Colyton on a very pleasant summer Saturday in July. We'd caught the rather eccentric tram (you'll understand what I mean once you've been on it!) up from Seaton, otherwise known as 'Britain's Most Rebellious Town' after its part in the Monmouth rebellion of 1685. Being the rebellious type, I suggested that there's nothing better on a hot summers day than a good old British liquid lunch, well along with a very fine lunch from the pub's range of traditional food which offers excellent value for money. It's a fantastic journey up from Seaton, as the little electric trams follow the River Axe teaming with wildlife and photo opportunities for the nature lover. It's a short walk, perhaps half a mile to the centre of Colyton. If you fancy travelling in style they run horse drawn wagons from the station to the centre of Colyton, in fact they stop right outside the pub!

The pub's easy to find, it's right next to the impressive church with a rare octagonal lantern at the top of the tower. In year's gone by Colyton was a very important centre for leather, wool, salt and silk. It's still a very popular place today, but these days tourists flock here from far and wide. The pub has just one bar and the friendly staff welcome locals and visitors alike. I'm always pleased when I see a pub in a touristy place full of locals enjoying the fine Branscombe Branoc ale served straight from the barrel or the regularly changing guest ale. Part of the bar is set aside for food, I'm told their roast served Sunday lunchtime is their speciality. They've a beer garden too if the weather's nice, families are welcome and they've also their own skittle alley.

AJ and I enjoying a decent pint of Branscombe beer, July 2002