The Tradesmans Arms — Restaurant in South Hams

The landlord has a short temper and was triggered into a rage when I tried to order a cider for my 16 year old son to have with his meal. I had booked a table for dinner and was aware of the law allowing him a pint with a meal. I wasn’t aware that I had to ask the landlord’s permission to do this, nor was I aware that the cider had to be ordered at the table at the same time we ordered the food. I was also not aware that this incident would have resulted in the landlord being jailed, had he not aggressively challenged my son for age verification, humiliated the girl working behind the bar, embarrassed the friendly locals sitting next to me at the bar and delivered a long patronising lecture to me. I listened politely, took on board the message in spite of the awfully unpleasant way it was delivered and genuinely apologised to the landlord for getting it wrong. He ignored this and flounced off, leaving the girl at the bar clearly shaken and the friendly locals having to apologise to me for his bad behaviour. Given that we had walked 30 minutes from our campsite and there were no other options for supper in the area we stuck with it and stayed for an average meal at above average prices. The view from the restaurant is pretty good but the garden and pub in general is fairly run down. We obviously won’t be coming back. I hope the landlord can take this on board as constructive criticism and treat his visiting patrons with dignity, kindness and respect, even when they make a mistake or don’t know the...

Just returned home following a 3 night stay. Brilliant! The welcome on arrival was warm and friendly, the room was great. Full English breakfast was always amazing, local bacon and sausages. Evening meals were great on portions and food cooked really well (chips are insane!). Choice of beers, wines, ciders, spirits etc was really good (especially the wife's gins!) and everything good value. Staff were friendly, nothing too much trouble. For walkers, Kevin happy to collect/drop off to avoid relying on circular walks. Only regret, didn't stay for a Thursday, quiz night! (Devon Air Ambulance). Will rectify that next visit! Small, friendly, personal inn, just what we were after! Walking every day from the front door, car never moved! Will return for sure. One of those places you are torn between giving it the public recognition it deserves, but then wanting to keep it secret for yourself so no-one else finds...

I've not felt so unwelcome in any other pub ever. The greeting was less than welcoming but hey-ho, great view. Unfortunately our small dog escaped while we were sorting ourselves out. My husband got up and got her, the bar person pointed out she should be kept on her lead (she was but she had managed to pull it off my husband's foot.) Absolutely fair enough though, she shouldn't be on the loose! My husband was apologising but the response was surly at best. More apologies but the response was still short and we felt really unwelcome. My lager was cloudy but the response was that it was the glass (it wasn't- I'd cleared it) but the pint was replaced. It felt so frosty in the end, we finished our drinks outside to much banging going on within. She was clearly cross with us. We are not complainers but the atmosphere was horrible and we won't be back. Shame, view...