Masons Arms, Branscombe — Restaurant in East Devon

Somewhat disappointing! We wanted a weekend away in Devon, and were recommended the Mason's Arms by an acquaintance. We stayed 18 - 21 May. The inn is in essence the heart of the village of Branscombe, and a short fairly level walk from the beach. The room we had in one of the cottages was very quaint, clean and tidy, although the stairs were a challenge even for the more able! The staff were friendly although the breakfast and evening meal service was at times slow and even chaotic.

We were advised to book a table for the Saturday evening, and whilst slow, the food was good solid pub grub. Nothing fancy, somewhat limited choice and rather pricy. As were the drinks too! Having had a respectable meal on the Saturday, we decided to book a table for Sunday evening on leaving the restaurant that evening. Our Sunday evening meal however could not have been more different and was hugely disappointing. Having been seated, we were immediately advised that there was no Yorkshire puddings or cauliflower cheese available as part of either of the two roast options. No alternatives were offered and was greeted with complete silence when I suggested that a reduction should be offered for these two key accompaniments (charged separately as sides at £1 for a Yorkshire pudding and £5.25 for cauliflower cheese if I recall). Despite this, we both decided to order roast dinners. At the same time, we also ordered drinks and a bottle of table water. We sat there patiently waiting for our drinks, and in fact drank a bottle of table water between us before I enquired where were the drinks some 30-mins later. It seems they were forgotten! We continued to sit there patiently and people were being seated around us, ordering drinks, starters and mains. Two immediate tables had starters, mains, drinks and left and we were still waiting for our main course. What was even more galling was their roasts were coming out with Yorkshire puddings. We were very puzzled by this. We were seated by 7:15pm and finally got our main course at 8:40pm, by which time I could not be bothered! We were offered deserts, but promptly refused and got up to pay on the way out. We again challenged the staff member on the till that a discount should be offered for compensation for the missing items. I was totally flabbergasted by the response however. We were told that because we ordered the food knowing that the items were missing, then we accepted the cost of the course as advertised. We also questioned why other diners around us who came in after us had at least Yorkshire puddings and we did not (they probably had cauliflower cheese too), and the response was that they had pre-ordered their meals earlier in the day, and being a busy Sunday, running out of ingredients was not an infrequent occurrence. Why then was pre-ordering not mentioned or advised at the time of booking the table the previous day?

Over the course of our three night/four day stay, a trend became apparent that dishes or ingredients were consistently unavailable at both breakfast and evening service.

On reflection, I do not think that the entire experience warranted the price tag. Would we visit Devon again? Absolutely yes. Would we stay at the Mason’s Arms? I very...

We absolutely loved our couple of night's stay at the Masons Arms and would recommend both for the family-friendly rooms, pub, friendly/helpful staff, the delicious food and stunning rural/coastal surroundings.

I booked from overseas where we live and had several back and forth correspondences over which room would suit our family needs - unlike other pubs with rooms in the area! - the Masons Arms were quick to respond, helpful and the process was easy to find the right room option and book.

We booked to eat for one evening - my birthday! - and the food was utterly delicious. We sat inside (thanks British summer rain!) which was cosy and atmospheric. Wide choice of local dishes and they take allergies into consideration too. I had the pea ravioli to start and it was the tastiest thing I've eaten in weeks. Nothing disappointed for any of us from mackerel & salt/pepper squid (soooo good) starters, to the burgers, fresh fish, to miso-glazed eggplant and child-size pasta (which was huge!). Sticky toffee pudding was my daughter's favourite and the best she said she'd eaten - the lemon poset was sublime. The breakfasts were equally good - extensive offerings from full English (locally sourced produce) to overnight oats, avo smash/tomato, pancakes etc

Another evening we went to Beer which is less than a ten minute drive away for what was the only sunny evening of the weekend - Beer was so pretty (pebbly beach) but we hadn't booked a restaurant so we opted for fish/chips which we ate from a bench in the golden hour sun on the cliff side. You need cash for the fish/chip though be advised ! We had planned to walk from Branscombe to Beer but the weather had other ideas! Had we had more time I would have liked to have gone back to Beer to explore more by day when the galleries were open.

We had a large cottage room which had a beautiful seating area out the front where at least for one evening we were able to enjoy a drink and bask in the late afternoon sun. The room was spacious - we used the bed, sofa bed and had a zed-bed and there was still enough space. Bathroom was modern and shower excellent. Only suggestion would be for a fan as despite rain, there was little air through the windows and it felt very hot at night with thick duvets. Really good coffee machine in room with milk of your choice and teas.

We loved our stay we'll likely return on another summer when visiting Devon and will hope for better weather so we can explore more of the area. Advise booking for food as it was packed out for every meal (carpark full!) - testament to...

2023 beautiful old pub. As most establishments struggling for staffing. But staff polite and friendly. Food delicious....we all had roast dinner the beef is divine. Book in advance though

2024- stayed for 2 nights 28th and 29th august in room 8, a beautiful cottage on the first floor overlooking the pub itself. Room spacious and clean, comfy bed, tea making facilities and gorgeous shower room. Some dust on the door hinge but other wise great. Slept well, dark and cosy. Noisy dogs barking from some rooms a little annoying at times. We ate our main meals here, as previously good food served well. Breakfast day one slightly odd.......greeted and told to choose somewhere to sit.......but not there, when we chose a table....so moved, took tea and coffee order, helped ourselves to buffet then waited to order........and waited......etc.....so found said women who asked me to sit somewhere......told her that we had seen her before and we were waiting to order.......got there in the end......full English, looked overcooked small mushroom and tomato...asked for tomato sauce....whn the bottle came my husband had eaten his. .restaurant was really quiet. Day two ....restaurant very busy one staff member different, what a difference, friendly, organised and full English looked completely different. Tomato ketchup in little dish and delivered promptly. Thanks daisy and blonde curly haired lady. A pleasure to eat here second day. On checking out......went back to restaurant as no one In checking. Daisy told me that they were struggling ( I could see that) and she would tell someone but didn't k ow when they would come. We were fully paid and taken nothing from the mini bar in our room so left key in check in. Love this place despite breakfast day one. Still desperately need staff to function properly, though. Most staff there are are great and provide an...