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In splendid isolation with majestic moorland views, at 1,425 feet above sea level, this is one of England’s highest pubs. “My location is my biggest asset,” says landlord Peter Parsons, who has been there since the eighties, with his wife, Janet. The characterful main bar has exposed beams, wood panelling, and features two fires, originally peat, now chunky logs - one of them never goes out. There are three other rooms, all distinctive; one is a family room and another mainly used for dining.
Originally on the other side of the road, the pub burned down and was rebuilt in 1845 on its present site, mainly to serve tin miners who came to drink and gamble. It has no mains electric, and water comes from a spring in the hill behind. The pub has had a chequered history – in 1929, then landlord William Toop Stephens shot himself behind the bar, and in 1963 the building was cut off from the outside world for 12 weeks by heavy snow.
Excellent home-cooked food includes their famous herby rabbit pie (‘may contain shot’!) topped with proper shortcrust pastry, steak pie with a rich ale gravy, traditional homity pie with potato, cheese and cream filling and Dartmoor beef steaks. Though mainly English food, there are a few surprises such as local lamb marinated in dry sherry, Spanish style. Delicious desserts served with clotted cream or custard, including treacle tart and apple and raspberry crumble.
Three live beers (real ales) are usually available, mainly regional such as Exeter, Otter and Summerskills, though beers from further afield such as Ringwood Old Thumper are welcomed too; Countryman cider is served.
Peter has set out rustic tables and benches on grassy areas both sides of the road, but the pub’s real garden is Dartmoor itself. Despite being well off the beaten track – and the loss of the bus service that crossed the moor until quite recently – the pub is busy even in winter, attracting walkers and tourists as well as regulars.
It is so filled with fascinating facts and history someone should write a book about Warren House Inn. Actually, they have, and you can buy it over the bar!
The pub is open all day in Summer (1100-2130 daily), with food served all day 1200-2100 – please ring to confirm before your intended visit, particularly during winter hours.
At 1425 ft about sea level it is the 9th highest in England. An isolated pub with a generator as no main electricity and water from a spring/bore hole. It was built in 1845 and tradition maintains that the original fire in an old stone fireplace has burned continuously since then. The original layout was of a single room, corridor and beer was served via a hatch. The present layout dated from 1963 and is of a main bar of three small areas with floor to ceiling panelling. The bar counter has a fielded panelled counter with a rustic wood top. The front left area has panelled walls, another old stone fireplace and bench seating. The rear right area has more panelled walls and another panelled counter with a chunky wood top and a dartboard. The bar back fitting from 1963 has been joined in recent years by a tall fridge. There is another separate completely panelled room on the left which includes a long bench made from a tree and through a widish gap is a larger room also completely panelled. Pink lino tiled floor tiles date from c.1990. Through a narrow arch shaped gap and up a slope on the far right is a small dining room added in June 2009 being a conversion of a storage room with a panelled counter and pink lino tiled floor. Not worthy of inclusion.
At 1425 ft about sea level it is the 9th highest in England. An isolated pub with a generator as no main electricity and water from a spring/bore hole. It was built in 1845 and tradition maintains that the original fire in an old stone fireplace has burned continuously since then. The original layout was of a single room, corridor and beer was served via a hatch. The present layout dated from 1963 and is of a main bar of three small areas with floor to ceiling panelling. The bar counter has a fielded panelled counter with a rustic wood top. The front left area has panelled walls, another old stone fireplace and bench seating. The rear right area has more panelled walls and another panelled counter with a chunky wood top and a dartboard. The bar back fitting from 1963 has been joined in recent years by a tall fridge. There is another separate completely panelled room on the left which includes a long bench made from a tree and through a widish gap is a larger room also completely panelled. Pink lino tiled floor tiles date from c.1990. Through a narrow arch shaped gap and up a slope on the far right is a small dining room added in June 2009 being a conversion of a storage room with a panelled counter and pink lino tiled floor. Not worthy of inclusion.
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This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 1 regular beer.
Warren House Inn, Postbridge
Changing beers typically include: Exeter (varies) , Hanlons (varies) , Summerskills - Start Point
Source: Regional
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Garden
Family Friendly
Parking
Dog Friendly
Camping
Events
Real Fire
Smoking
Real Ale
Real Cider
LocAle
Quiet
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