Our first impressions of Hinton St George were of style, tradition and serenity. The Lord Poulett Arms, therefore, is perfectly suited to its picturesque Somerset-village setting. When we arrived at the 17thC thatched pub, it was Happy Hour: a log fire was lit and locals were enjoying complimentary bar snacks and craft ales. Everyone, whether a regular or a visiting guest, was being greeted warmly by the smiling staff. This is clearly a hub for the community; we spotted the vicar chatting to the landed gentry, and, as more weekend guests arrived, everyone seemed to mix happily. If you’re looking for a fine example of an English country pub, you’ve come to the right place.
For many, the food is the main attraction. Based upon the area’s excellent produce, menus change seasonally and are a perfect balance of hearty pub fare and refined gourmet options, all prepared with finesse. But upstairs 6 stylish bedrooms are a big draw, too. Fashionable touches (Berber rugs, modern art and rolltop baths) marry beautifully with flagstone walls and ancient fireplaces. This is the latest renovation by the team behind The Beckford Arms, and it looks set to be another smash-hit.
Highs
- It’s worth coming for the food alone; stay the night and you'll get an excellent breakfast, too
- Just 6 stylish but comfortable rooms, with bathrobes and Bramley toiletries
- Amazing rates
- Wonderful countryside walks out from the village
- A sun-trap courtyard gardens with pretty trellises, shady spots and a petanque court
Lows
- Two of the rooms have their bathrooms across the corridor rather then ensuite, but you’re unlikely to bump into anyone on the landing
- Breakfast finishes at 9:30am
- It's an old building so noise can carry. You might hear people in the bar or the staff setting up for breakfast from some rooms
- Only 1 veggie main on the menu when we visited
- You'll need a car but arrival is easy, just off the A303, and although parking is on-street, it's a quiet village
Best time to go
The pub is open all year and makes a lovely hideaway whatever the season. Summer is gorgeous for long lunches in the walled garden, spring and autumn provide glorious natural colours, and the pub is a cosy bolthole in winter thanks to its open fires.
Our top tips
Come for Punky Night on the last Thursday of October. It's a 250 year-old custom commemorating the time the men of Hinton St George went to a nearby village and got so drunk that they failed to return. The women of the village had to collect their husbands late at night, lighting their way with lanterns. Nowadays, there's an annual village parade of children and adults carrying carved lanterns made from pumpkins and singing the Punky Night song.
- Pub with rooms
- 6 rooms
- Restaurant and bar
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Owners Charlie, Dan and Matt were once in the senior echelons of the Soho House group, so style and and attention to detail run in their blood. As with their other pubs (The Talbot Inn and The Beckford Arms), Farrow & Ball colours, Roberts radios, heritage Welsh blankets, contemporary art and soft Berber rugs are the signature style.
There are 6 rooms to choose from, 4 with ensuite bathrooms and 2 with private bathrooms across the hallway. We stayed in a Large ensuite, a huge room with an outside staircase leading down to the garden. We loved the super-king bed, clad in dreamy Egyptian cotton sheets, plus a goosedown duvet and cosy Welsh blanket.
We took full advantage of the claw-foot bathtub for a pre-dinner soak; most rooms have one. Toiletries are divine handmade products by Bramley (the owners' company), and there are soft towelling bathrobes.
Features include:
- WiFi
Eating
Like everything at The Lord Poulett, food and drink is refined while staying true to its pub roots. Quality local produce features heavily on the menus, and the highly skilled kitchen team make, cure and smoke everything on the premises. We loved the look of pub classics such as a “Rubens peppered burger” and cider-battered fish and chips, all bearing the hallmark flourishes of a chef at the top of his game. More genteel options included chargrilled monkfish with cinnamon-roasted squash, sweetcorn and spiced apple; or herb-roasted Exmoor Venison, with artichoke puree, wild mushrooms & braised red cabbage.
We eventually plumped for a curried goat pie, which came with chips, piles of expertly flavoured seasonal veg and lashings of delicious gravy... we loved it. Next up, were devilish desserts: a buttermilk pudding with gooseberry, and a dark chocolate truffle with hazelnut and sea salt ice cream. Finally, fabulous local cheeses available by the slice. This is not a place to come if you're dieting.
Breakfast is a generous spread of fruit compotes, fantastic homemade granola, flaky pastries and freshly baked bread. (Plus a hearty supply of painkillers and a jug of Bloody Mary for those who've sampled too much local ale the night before!). Wonderful cooked options included the Full Somerset, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, and porridge with cream and brown sugar.
Features include:
- Restaurant
Activities
- Visit Hinton St George's 13thC Grade I-listed church
- There are many walks from the village, including a lovely 45-minute round trip which takes in a 14th-century oak tree, thought to have the widest spread of any oak in England
- The Blackdown Hills are just 30 minutes' drive away, on the border of Devon and Somerset. For many, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty epitomises the English countryside with hedgerow valleys and narrow, winding lanes
- The National Trust's Montacute House is 20 minutes' drive away, one of England's most beautiful Elizabethan houses. Forde Abbey House and Gardens is also close
- Picturesque Somerset is famed for its cider; visit Burrow Hill for tastings
- You're half an hour’s drive from Dorset's Jurassic Coast and the pretty seaside towns of Lyme Regis and Westbay
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Shopping / markets
Kids
Children are welcome and the staff are very friendly. There are great countryside walks and the fossil-filled Jurassic Coast close by, and the relaxed atmosphere in the bar and restaurant attracts plenty of local families.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
There's a Family Room with bunk beds, and Room 5 (a Large) can fit 2 extra beds for children. Baby cots are available to borrow.
Cots Available
Distances:
- Hospital: 25 minutes
- Shop: 1 minute
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Lord Poulett Arms is in the pretty village of Hinton St George, 5 minutes from Crewkerne in Somerset. It's 2 hours from London by car or train, and an hour from Bristol or Bath.
By Air:
Exeter is the closest airport (55km), but Bristol (83km) is served by more airlines. From either you'll want to hire a car.
By Train:
Crewkerne station is 5 mins away by taxi.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Exeter 55.0 km EXE
- Bristol 83.0 km BRS
Other:
- Beach 30.0 km
- Shops 0.0 km
- Restaurant 0.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape