Half Moon Inn, Sheepwash

17th-century inn extended in mid 19th century by incorporating two former cottages. Locals say the present dining room was a former school and there was a milliner’s shop within the present premises at one time. The main bar consisted of two rooms until the early 1970s – a snug in the lower area on the left and the larger area on the right which were then combined. In the middle of the room the counter probably dates from late Victorian or early 20th-century times and has a large mirrored bar back of many shelves: pleasingly the lower shelves are not disfigured by fridges as they are in so many pub these days. There is also a flagstone floor, an old stone fireplace, exposed beams and old wall seating. The high-backed settle has moved and was originally attached to the left-hand side of the fireplace. In the distant past the higher right-hand side was a tiny bar with a separate tap room on the right. The left former snug part retains the same old bar counter.

On the far left is a dining room which was until 2007 a dining room and separate residents’ lounge. From the main bar a short passage to the right leads to a small beamed lounge. Further on is the very small high-ceilinged 'Rod Room' - note the rack of waders placed upside down to dry - it has an old stone fireplace with bread oven possibly from the 17th century and a bar billiard table. Note the tiny angling shop selling fishing tackle etc. - the inn owns four miles of fishing rights on the River Torridge and, with some rented access to 10 1/2 miles of fishing salmon, sea-trout and brown trout.