The Rising Sun — Restaurant in North Devon

Visiting family in Barstaple, this is where my mother in law likes to come. She had a good relationship with the previous landlord. Being taken under new management, we spoke with the new landlady.. I hope she makes some great changes as this has so much potential. She was lovely and chatty, the kind of character you need to run a pub. Two gorgeous doggos that are noisy but friendly. The pub is a nice space with friendly locals. Dog friendly, nice cocktails and good seating and big tvs for sport. A nice seating area out the front, if you like to people watch. My favourite part has to be out the back.. the garden has plenty of seating and some fruit trees/plants growing. There’s a seating area on decking, a seating area by brick walls that made me feel like I was on holiday or by a castle, And a nice grass area with benches. Really has character. I was surprised to hear they close the back doors at 9.. we were told this is due to neighbours, which I understand, but it’s a real shame considering it’s the best part.. it would look gorgeous lit up with lights!

I feel like the Improvements that need doing are for the garden to be kept better.. I know it’s now autumn and you can’t help the apples falling but there were alot of rotten apples and leaves everywhere, just needs a little tidy up. The toilets - not sure on mens, but the space in the women’s cubicles are just too small. I had to stand over the toilet to open the door to get out. And both need some good air fresheners. The pool table needs new pool cues, as they had no nib on, and some proper pool chalk. (Had a child’s pink chalk) and the lighting is quite dark in that area.

Sorry for complaining but hope this is good feedback that will be taken into account, I look forward to visiting again in the future and writing a...

Just been told VERY aggressively to GET OUT of The Rising Sun in Newport by a puce faced furious owner after calming asking why daughter and her 2 friends were kicked out for quietly playing a round of pool. He stormed over to me, ranting in my face. Even after I said "I'm not angry just trying to understand what happened" he continued to angrily rant over me.

He was hitting the bar with his hand whilst he raved at me before telling me he had never seen me in there before and to get out and go hug a tree. I've drunk in there plenty of times before with groups of friends and had considered it to be my friendly local pub.

The poor barmaid looked just as shocked as I was. Outrageous levels of aggression towards me when I was literally just enquiring as to what had happened earlier.

The pub had all of 2 people drinking in it, everyone was silent and shocked as I left. You'd think a local pub would be encouraging new business.

My daughter and her friends are just 18. It was 6pm, they had gone to play on my recommendation. They had one game of pool and were about to buy a round of drinks before a new game when the owner rushed over, grabbed the pool cues from their hands and demanded they get out. No explanation from the owner, no requests for ID, nothing. Just snatched the pool cues and demanded they leave.

They were shocked and just left. I'm glad they did given how he reacted to me.

I sure as hell won't be drinking in there again!

I left shaking and shocked.

I'm not easily rattled but I'm not exaggerating when I say the levels of aggression shown were unsettling. I'm very glad there was a bar between us. I've never encountered such a...

Lady with blonde long hair behind the bar was so rude to my family who were on holiday from Oz. I often go to the riser with friends or sometimes family the other day spent around 30 pounds waiting for my sister in law and her partner to arrive as it was her birthday. When they got there I asked them what they would like to drink her partner has not drank alcohol for a few years.. who said he was ok at the moment I brought my self and my sister in law a pint. After I had paid for these she then looked towards my sister in laws partner and said and what about you? He replied he was okay at the moment. She said you do know this is a pub and you need to get a drink. I reminded her how much I had already spent and that I often come in here also he did not drink alcohol she went on to say we sell soft drinks you know. but at the moment he was not thirsty. She also said you wouldn't sit in weather spoons with out a drink I replied well you might it's not like we all haven't got a drink apart from him, she then went on to say it's common sense to get a drink! and was very rude to him we were all in shock and I wish I had asked for a re fund but wasn't thinking at the time just couldn't believe how rude she was. When I went back in I said how she had made a bad start to birthday celebrations and she was abit of a •••head. She came charging out shouting say that to my face aggressively I did say it again but not aggressively she was shouting something and said I was barred. But have to say none of us wanted to go in again after the way she spoke and treated us all...