Griffin's Head, Nether Compton

Built of Ham stone with a date of 1599 in stone over the door. The later right-hand portion is of Sherborne stone. The whole was a farm until 1840's when it became a pub, with the right-hand section producing cider. Incorporated with the saloon bar in the 1970's but there is a wooden folding partition which can separate it. Owned by the local Estate until sold in 1954 and acquired by the present owners in 1969 who made some changes to the bar back fitting in c.1970 but little has changed since.

On the left is the public bar with a large old inglenook fireplace of stone and the bar counter of fielded panelling looks like an inter-war one but is more likely post-war. There is a Gaskell & Chambers beer engine with side handle on the left of the counter – only a half a dozen remain in use in the UK – which the landlord says dates from 1947, which may well be the date of the bar counter. The rare handpump probably still works but the landlord prefers to fetch the beer from the cask to keep it in the best condition, due to the amount of trade. The bar back fitting with its 1960s backing of small glass pieces and with Formica shelves was installed in c.1970 and has a small till drawer. There is a very long high backed settle between the counter and the fireplace and another antique settle.

Through a sliding door of 1960s ply panels is a larger saloon bar original large flagstones and another fielded panelled counter assumed to be just post war. There is a stone fireplace, a narrow high-backed settle, a stool made from a wooden barrel, two-person cane seat, table skittles ready to play and darts. Through a folding wooden partition that is always kept open is a room brought into pub use in c.1970. It has a c.1970 wood block floor, 4 antique settles, false plastic beams to give it an 'old feel' - according to the Landlord and houses a pool table. Windows and doors are early 1970's replacements.