The Hand & Flower

The brains behind The Hand & Flower know exactly what their locals want & have set about delivering it with the minimum of fuss. Inside is a gastropub-by-numbers mix of refectory tables & stripped wood, with a front bar opening out onto the street & an airy dining room with plenty of nooks & crannies to hide in – plus an open kitchen dealing in skilfully rendered, contemporary pub food. Treacle-glazed pork ribs or grilled sardine fillets with pickled mooli might precede a well-constructed burger or loin of Devon lamb with three-bean stew & spring greens, with gooseberry rice pudding for dessert. Well-kept ales include mouthwatering Banana Bread Beer from Wells brewery, & you can take your pint into the cute garden if you fancy catching some rays.