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A “Pilgrimage” to The Tom Cobley Tavern.

As a birthday treat I recently set off for a weekend away in the West Country armed with the GBG.

On the 16^th March 2007 – a day when my H & B CAMRA colleagues were to be holding the fort at the Leicester Beer Festival – we visited what can only be described as a real ale paradise. This was a lunchtime trip to The Tom Cobley Tavern in Spreyton Devon – winner of the CAMRA National Pub of The Year Award.

The pub dates from 1589 and is set in the village famous for Uncle Tom Cobley who set out from here in 1802 for Widecombe Fair. Today it’s run by Roger and Carol Cudlip who serve a huge range of real ales and home cooked meals as well as offering bed and breakfast accommodation. There’s a large old world public bar, beamed dining rooms and a beer garden. Roger, a former local butcher, made us extremely welcome and told us a lot about the pub, village life and his locals. Many of these are part of the farming community and demand a no-nonsense, traditionally run pub. He made a point of introducing us to other drinkers, the cat and his wife.

 We were nothing short of amazed by the beer list and the prices being charged. Some 8 ales are regularly available. The gravity ranges from 3.5 to 6.0 and regardless of strength they all sell at £2.00 a pint. In addition, there were another 11 guest ales – yes 11 – all available at £2.20 a pint.

HOUSE ALES include: -  Otter, Tawney, Tribute, Doom Bar and Oliver’s.

GUEST ALES include: - Brewer’s Gold, Cornish Mutiny, Yellow Hammer, Shepard’s Crook, Brunel’s Eastern, Barn Owl, Cavalier and Otter Head.

A modest half or two was therefore enjoyed…. Also, Carol’s home cured ham – which like the beer contained no added water - went down a treat. A most enjoyable lunchtime was had. We then headed back to the nearby A30 to explore some Cornish entries in the GBG.

 A visit to Spreyton can only be described as a must on your list of “the 100 things to do before you die”!

 Richard Lewin.

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