The Pilchard Inn — Restaurant in South Hams

Disappointed Return Visit to a Once-Special Spot

This was our second visit to the Pilchard Inn, and we were genuinely excited to return after a six-year gap, having made it a birthday tradition for my husband. Sadly, much has changed in that time, and not for the better.

The charm and warmth we once remembered seem to have faded. The menu now feels more like basic deep-fried pub fare, lacking the quality and thoughtfulness we previously enjoyed. We were also surprised to find that about half of the menu was unavailable something we only learned after a second attempt to engage with the staff.

Unfortunately, our experience was marred further by one particular staff member (the only male on shift during our midday visit on July 29th). He was, frankly, rude and dismissive. When I approached to ask about dining, I was met with disdain and no offer of a menu or explanation. It took a second approach before a kind waitress stepped in and offered assistance.

In the brief time we were there, we also witnessed this same staff member berating a colleague behind the bar and speaking condescendingly to another customer. It created an uncomfortable atmosphere and felt entirely out of place for such a scenic and historic setting.

The location remains beautiful, the views and heritage are undeniable, but the overall experience no longer matches the setting. It’s a real shame to see the Pilchard Inn lose the warmth and quality that once made it so special.

To the owners: if you’re reading this, please take note. You have a team member whose conduct is not only unprofessional but potentially damaging to your...

This should be a great pub and one that anyone staying locally would want to visit but frankly it isn’t. The pub is situated on a small island just off Bigbury Bay and is a lovely old building but this is where the appeal ends.

The outside has old dirty tables, broken parasols and bins almost overflowing.

The drinks are expensive and similar to London prices. The food is overpriced and way below average. They have a giant sausage roll which they’re charging £6.50 for and in fact it is essentially a Greggs frozen sausage roll which you could buy for less than a 1/3 of the price at Greggs. The chips are just basic frozen chips and cost £4 and you get a small handful at best.

The service is at best ‘functional’ but generally pretty inefficient and slow. The wait for even the most basic order is long and although staff are pleasant enough, it almost feels like they feel they’re doing you a favour just by serving you.

This is the 3rd year on the trot that I have visited this place and it has gone steadily downhill in that time. Not somewhere I would recommend visiting anymore and only gets 2 stars cause of the uniqueness of the location and the building.

It’s a real shame as this could be a great venue and location but in reality it is overpriced, not very well looked after and poorly run. I would not recommend a visit sadly and I was I didn’t have...

I thought I'd chance this place despite the very mixed reviews. The pub is great, very old and traditional and very small but great "feel". However I ordered a pint of beer (Otter Amber) and it was served very very cloudy. I've drunk ale for 30 years and its extremely rare to have a cloudy beer that's meant to be cloudy. I said the beer is off and showed the barmaid the glass. She looked puzzled and said unconvincingly she thought that's how it was, but she didn't seem really sure, she was trying to compare it to lager. Her 2 colleagues also seemed not sure of what to say or do, but they all tried to maintain that ale is a cloudy drink. I was told "it is always like that". I sipped it, it tasted okish. I wasn't offered another drink. As I sat there drinking it I was damn sure the beer was not meant to be like that but persisted to drink it. Then other customers went up complaining the beer was offer, even given their beers back and walking out. At no point did they come over to apologise or offer to swap it. Staff in a pub should absolutely know how to look after and serve ale. So the beer is really crap, don't come here for a pint of ale. I then ordered the lager which was drinkable but in all seriousness I wouldn't rush back. Staff need training, cellarman needs to learn to...