Paws in the pub: our favourite South Devon drinking spots
The Thatched Tavern, Maidencombe
From the outside, the Thatched Tavern is exactly that – a crumbling 17th-century building with a chunky cut of straw on top. But inside, the interiors are a breath of fresh air. It blends cosy ancient beams with bright, popping furnishings and boldly painted wood-panelled walls. The food is just as delightful as the decor, too, with fish from nearby Brixham’s fish market and Devonshire beef and lamb on the menu.
There are unusual pairings, like kohlrabi with a wasabi emulsion or popcorn-flavoured ice cream, and hearty roast dinners for traditional Sunday lunches. A leafy beer garden is wonderful in summer, dogs are welcome throughout, and there’s Maidencombe beach nearby for year-round fun.
Ferry Boat Inn, Dittisham
Sitting pretty in pastel pink right on the water of the River Dart, with views across to the hillsides where Agatha Christie’s former home resides, the Ferry Boat Inn is wonderful. Nip in for a pint at the bar with the dog before you take the ferry (which is summoned by a bell outside) across the river to tackle the Dart Valley Trail.
Or come here to gorge on a Sunday roast, complete with tangy cauliflower cheese and all the trimmings. Mid-week there are pizzas cooked in a stone-base oven, and dogs are welcome throughout and will get bowls of water on request.
Boatswains at the Kings Arms, Salcombe
Tucked away down narrow Fore St, the family-run Kings Arms is a bright and breezy pub in the centre of Salcombe. The restaurant is clad with whitewashed wooden planks and its beams are illuminated with fairy lights, giving it a pleasingly airy feel, while the bar is all cosy low beams and tiled floors.
There’s even a log fire for those colder days. On the menu there are Sunday roasts and pub classics such as steaks and fish and chips (locally caught, of course), and dogs get treats at the bar and water on the floor. The pub even serves breakfast, tea, coffee and cakes in the morning for the early risers. Dogs are allowed throughout until evening dinner service, when you can dine in the bar instead.
Seven Stars, Dartmouth
Home to hundreds of seafarers thanks to the presence of the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth isn’t short of a good pub. But one of its best, which also happens to be its oldest, is the Seven Stars. Dark wooden beams hang low on the ceiling and original brickwork features on the walls, while on the menu there’s a cracking list of local fare.
The mussels are excellent – served with chips – but if you’re really into seafood order the fish platter. Dogs are welcome throughout, but the best table is by the lovely fireplace. This is a perfect pitstop if you’re planning to ride the Dartmouth Steam Railway across the water in Kingswear.
The Anchor Inn, Beer
Few pubs have better views from their gardens than the Anchor Inn. Here, on the clifftops above pebbly Beer Beach, you can look out at the sea as it stretches to the horizon, with a pint of local cider or beer in hand. Hike some of the South West Coast Path that passes right in front of the pub, then reward yourself with a hearty lamb shank, sausage and mash or a fragrant Thai curry. The best seats are of course in the garden, but the pub is dog friendly throughout. The eastern half of the beach below is dog friendly year-round, too.