Dinner at the Stag Inn at Rackenford – in Devon

If you’re driving through North Devon, perhaps heading for the beautiful beaches of north and west Devon, then stop for dinner at the Stag Inn at Rackenford.

We were on our way for a Bank Holiday weekend break in Devon and it was recommended by the hosts at our stylish B & B. I’ve taken to asking the locals for recommendations at every opportunity as they often pick out great choices that aren’t in every guide book as this proved to be.

Five minutes off the A361 between Taunton and Barnstable, you drive into Rackensford and can’t miss the egg yolk yellow thatched inn, reputed to be the oldest pub in Devon, dating back to 1197. Inside and recently under new ownership, it’s been spruced up in true gastropub style with yellow walls and sage green wainscoting, with a smarter dining area at the back. As you’d expect the ancient charm is still there with the black dog dozing in front of the open fire, low beams to bang your head on and a bar made of huge slabs of wood and panelling taken from some ancient ship.

As we were the first customers of the evening, we were able to bag the seat by the fire and look at the menu chalked up on the blackboard. The food was very tasty and much of the meat and veg comes from the local oragnic farm owned by the owner’s family – but I had to laugh at the descriptions given to the food in places like this with foodie aspirations. We could have chosen Pork sausages in mash with red wine gravy (otherwise known as sausage & mash) or Red ruby organic surloin fillet with cherry tomatoes, pepper sauce and chips (otherwise known as Steak & Chips) In the end I had some seasonal asparagus with a fried duck egg on top and some very tasty pork chops in a cider sauce, washed down with some Sam’s dry Devon cider.

Next to us was a cheerful family from London heading for a beach break at the coast at Croyde, who were tucking into fish & chips (or was that beer battered cod with crushed peas and chips?) Soon the place was filling up with locals who were taking a pint or two in between the game of darts.

The only slightly jarring note was the 80s compilation playing in the background – remember Boy George and Karma Chameleon? Not sure I want to. We leafed through the local paper for riveting stories of how the latest Best Cornish Pasty Award had been won by (shock horror) a company from Devon. Then just as the evening was warming up we left to continue our short drive down the narrow backlanes to our Bed and Breakfast. Cost for drinks and supper for two £44.

The Stag Inn
Rackenford
Devon EX16 8DT
Website: www.thestaginn.com

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