Blacksmiths Arms in East Devon

This is a gem of a village pub, warm & friendly. A good mix of locals and visitors. It had been recommended by our helpful landlady at the Little Clyst William Farm Barn just up the road. We weren’t disappointed. My husband had the ‘whale of Cod’ which lived up to its name, the batter was very light and the cod perfect. I had a lovely chicken dish. We returned two days later, this time I had the Buddha Bowl which was really interesting with a cold side & hot side divided by roasted new potatoes and topped with a delicious tahini sauce, my husband had the steak pie, a real pie with a top & bottom and lovely pastry. We never usually have puddings at restaurants but we were won over by a beautiful roulade and a honeycombe cheesecake that was really light and had lots of lovely crunchie toppings. We were really impressed on our second visit when the staff had remembered my husband couldn’t eat raw onion and came to check if that applied to cooked onion too as it was present in the steak pie. Add to this great service, and managing to have a chat while obviously really busy. We only wish we lived nearer as we’d love to try the Christmas menu.

We stayed in "Yew Tree Cottage" for a 4 night break in Devon. It is owned and run by the lovely, friendly, helpful family that own and run the Blacksmiths Arms. Yew Tree Cottage : Delightful accommodation. Large open plan kitchen with full size oven, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge and freezer ,dinning area and lounge with 48in TV and free Wi-Fi. 2 good sized double bedrooms with on suite shower rooms to both. Small garden area and own parking space for 2 cars. This is one of the best self catering properties we have stayed in and added bonus was it is situated next door to the pub! Blacksmiths Arms: Good ,old fashioned, traditional village pub. Run by the lovely, friendly family Susie, Alan and Tadhg. We ate in the pub for the 4 nights we were there. 4 nights of excellent meals. Good quality ingredients, choice , value for money , all homemade and large portions. My son is wheat/gluten intolerant and Susie, Alan and Tadhg went out of their way to accommodate his special dietary needs. Would highly recommend "Yew Tree Cottage" and the Blacksmiths Arms and look forward to returning in the future.

This place has great reviews and they're quite right. Lovely little team running a traditional pub in a ticked away spot. We had an evening meal and a Sunday lunch. Notably excellent veg with the Sunday lunch, and super desserts. Plus of course great meat / mains. Nice beer too. A 5.0 rating fully justified.

I would like to thank the staff and owners of the Blacksmiths Arms for their hospitality, warm and friendly welcome. Having arrived late from an ongoing long journey, the team provided us food and seating to accommodate our hunger and tiredness. The Food was 1st class and very good sized portions. The landlady ensured we had everything we needed and nothing was too much trouble from the whole team. I would highly recommend the Blacksmiths Arms for their warm welcome, excellent food and service. If I lived nearer I would certainly become a regular customer. Thank you from the weary travellers.

Absolutely lovely family who have this pub and nothing is too much trouble. We always have our Sunday dinners here when we are down in Devon and even on the bookings they always note my dietary requirements in the diary where I am known as the peas and carrots man! There is a great menu, plenty of drink choices, and we have always been made welcome by the local people. Book a table and go and enjoy some lovely food and drink.

We had a 5* visit - Twice! Visited a couple of weeks ago and was blown away by how delicious the food is. Being a vegetarian, it can sometimes be hard to find something that isn't just risotto! But on the blacksmith arms menu - there was plenty of options for me and the rest of my meat eating family. The kids loved the food too especially the desserts! The cheesecake and the brownie are amazing. You can tell the food is fresh, homemade, flavourful and that Susie and Alan pride themselves on providing great food and service. Along with their son, who was attentive in providing us drinks too. They were all very friendly and welcoming to their pub. We loved it so much that we went back for a second night! When we are in Devon again, we will definitely be seeking this place out for food. It was a real treat for the palette!

We were staying locally and decided to give the Blacksmiths Arms a go, and we certainly weren't disappointed!! The five of us were made to feel very welcome and the food was absolutely brilliant. So brilliant that we found ourselves back there the next night too. If you want fantastic service from 'real' people and great food in a pub with character, then the Blacksmiths Arms is a must! You will be seeing us again in the future.

Stayed at their perfect cottage next door and went into the pub for a meal. From the day we arrived, couldn't have been made to feel more welcome and the food is fantastic.

Have rediscovered this place after a few years, and not disappointed. Food excellent, our hosts welcoming and friendly and willing to oblige. Recommended

We all go away in holidays etc and leave reviews , but tend to forget what is right under our nose everyday. When we moved here three years ago we went down to the village pub and received a warm welcome , Suzie introducing us to one and all. Alan’s food is delicious , and always a filling plate - you won’t leave the Blacksmiths feeling hungry! Tadgh is ever the good host , a smile, a chat a friendly insult.

Stayed in the pubs beautiful Yew Tree cottage (right next door). Think everything you would want in a perfect village pub and package it and you'll find it here... Wonderful food, great hospitality, friendly locals and good beer. Very well done and worth a drive to visit...

Quick visit after arriving in the village after travelling from Pembrokeshire. Warm welcome, good food.

Lovely Sunday dinner and very generous portions We had pudding witch are huge Lovely friendly land lady had a chat while I was paying the bill Will definitely go again We were the table of five booked for. 4.30

Wonderfully friendly staff, and warm atmosphere. Puddings delicious with large portions. Home cooked dinners were nice, but very expensive for what we got (eg steaks not cooked as requested).

Definitely deserves another visit!!

I popped in to deliver some Exe Ale magazines, the newsletter of the local branch of CAMRA, the CAMpaign for Real Ale. I decided to stop for Sunday lunch, I chose to have pork & chicken & was pleasantly surprised how large the portions of meat were. 😃 There were lovely seasonal vegetables including roast potatoes & sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, cabbage & cheesy leeks. There was also a Yorkshire pudding, a large sausage, not the usual chipolatas, apple sauce, cranberry sauce & lashings of gravy. I followed this with a piece of Thunder & lightning cheesecake which I think was the best piece of cheesecake that I have ever had. It was Honeycomb, a lot bigger than I expected &. There must have been half of a Crunchie crumbled over the top & a big swirl of toffee sauce. OMG it was fantastic. 🤩😋 This was washed down with 2 pints of Exeter Avocet Ale. 🍻

Staying nearby and popped in for takeaway dinner and a couple of excellent ales. Super friendly pub, great food and ale. Wish this my local. Staff and landlady/lord are all excellent.

We called into this pub for dinner on the way home from Cornwall, having read the excellent reviews. We were not disappointed. We have 4 young kids and a dog so it is difficult to find places that cater for all of us. The hosts were very welcoming and the food was delicious. Fantastic village pub, would highly recommend. We will definitely return.

Lovely home cooked food with very friendly owners. 4 of us went for a meal on Saturday night. It was fabulous. Hubby had the black pudding tower starter, which was lovely, one of our friends had the breaded brie which he thoroughly enjoyed. 2 of us had the Duck from the specials which was cooked perfectly and 2 had the steak which they said was very tender. 2 of us had the honeycombe crunch cheesecake which was huge and amazing! 2 had the roulade which was also.very good. We will be back soon. Thankyou.

Really friendly, welcoming staff and great food. Had a great meal - food came promptly and was really tasty.

Very warm welcome, good communication when booking. Lovely village pub, served a good Sunday lunch. Picked based on TA rating and proximity to M5, heading north after visit to Cornwall. Just the job and the staff were lovely.

Amazing fresh homemade home cooked food. Very friendly hosts nothing was too much trouble even made homemade apple sauce. Cant recommend enough. Will be back.

Best meal we’ve had in ages, excellent! And the desserts can’t be beaten. Thank you, always warm and welcoming and food always good, but tonight’s Duck and Dauphinois from the specials menu was beautiful.

Family run pub with a toasty wood burning stove and great home cooked food. The rump was cooked to perfection plus thick and tasty. The fish pie was warming and full of fish. The homemade chocolate brownie was delicious and the chocolate sauce sublime. It was definitely worth every calorie!!

Super local pub, with great food

Going to the Blacksmiths Arms is like being invited to a beautiful and lovingly cooked meal by a favourite relative. The Landlady takes such pride, care, and attention to creating each of her meals and will make any adjustments to suit tastes and dietary needs. Each dish is substantial and packed with ingredients and taste. You may well need to take a doggy bag home. The staff welcome you warmly, it is a pleasure to spend time there

Had dinner at The Blacksmith’s Arms with three fellow walkers. We were made to feel very welcome. The beer was spot on, and the food was excellent.

I visited with a band of bellringers on Saturday 19 August. It was a warm sunny day and after our efforts we were in need of sustenance! First, the pub sold proper cider from Sandford Orchards. Always a good sign. There were about 16 of us, and we had pre-ordered food. The food came out fresh and at the same time. My Caesar salad was excellent. I have had several disappointing Caesar salads recently at other venues. The staff could not have been more helpful and pleasant. I’d intended to be ‘heathy’ and refuse dessert. However, the landlady’s description of the dessert choices made many mouths water including my own, and the roulade was a must have. It was also excellent. The pub is traditional and offers a superb welcome. Well done and thank you. I couid not fault a thing. Highly recommended.

What a great find! We were staying at a local camp site and we were looking for a place to watch the World Cup final, we called the day before to ask if they would be showing the football, and with 25 of us coming they were so accommodating, we arrived they remembered we were coming, made us feel welcomed showed us we’re we could watch it as there was the bar and a lovely outside area, the staff helped move chairs, helped carry drinks out. I personally didn’t have food but family members did and they mentioned the price was great value for the food they had!

Great quality food colossal puddings!! The crumble is fantastic

We stayed at Yew Tree Cottage which is a 2 bed accommodation run by the pubs owners and it was amazing, great quality accommodation, dog friendly with a secure garden and right next to the pub! We had a relaxed stay in this lovely village and ate in the pub on a couple of occasions, great food, staff and locals all made this a lovely experience. It was also a great base to explore Devon and we would definitely go back!! Thanks to Susie, Alan and Tadgh for a great stay!!

We just had the most delicious food, best chicken burger and Buddha bowl. Best value for money and delicious fresh home cooked food. Lovely pub and wonderful staff/ owners. So friendly and welcoming thankyou so much

Lovely. Good food and friendly people.

Lovely pub, very welcoming and happy staff, superb food and always leave space for the chefs special, honeycomb (crunchie) cheesecake!

Local village pub with great home cooked food.

If I could give 10 stars, I would! The food was delicious, the family who ran the bar were amazing, couldn’t be kinder and gave us all a fantastic experience! Smiles, giggles and huge portions of foods!

This has to be the best pub we've come to in many years. Village pub in the middle of Plymtree, filled with locals who were just as friendly as the staff were and told us all about the local history and village gossip. The menu selection is phenomenal, it's almost frustrating that you can't try everything at once. When the food came out we were blown away by the generosity of the portions. Everything was perfect, could not fault a thing. If you still manage to have room for desserts, their honeycomb crunch cheesecake might be the best cheesecake in Devon...

Absolutely amazing staff and food!! The food accommodates for everyone. We had a vegan and also a gluten free dietary requirements on our table and they were amazing with the food selection for them. Our regular food tasted amazing. Will definitely be returning. Cant fault. Also has a wide selection of drinks at the bar

Ever so friendly staff but our food was a big disappointment: claggy and strangely sweet seafood pasta drowned in creamy sauce, overcooked steak, limp salad with gloopy dressing out of a bottle... We decided on a change from our usual Drew Arms but after that meal we vowed we'd never forsake it again!

A old fashioned village pub. Super friendly staff. Good range of beer and cider, superbly looked after. Wide range of food on the menu, which is pretty good. Not a high end bistro pub, but that is fine. Will be back.

Fabulous meal here tonight! Friendly staff and relaxed lovely atmosphere plus the food was great and brilliant value! We will definitely come again… also the cheesecake is a must (just ask for a takeaway if you’re too full, I promise you won’t regret it)! Dog friendly too!

First time visiting but won’t be the last! Was looking for a dog friendly place to go for dinner for my husbands birthday and found this place. The staff are lovely and friendly and the food was lovely! Couldn’t fault it at all! Also the price was incredibly reasonable given how much everywhere else has gone up!! We will most definitely be back again!!

Friendly pub in a lovely village. Good selection of drinks at a reasonable price. Food available and dog friendly inside and out. Made to feel welcome instantly.

Had a superb Christmas Eve dinner at an incredible price, huge portions and doggy bag provided for the excess. The landlord and landlady are exceptional

This is quite simply the best restaurant I have ever eaten at in Devon. Disguised as a sweet little pub, you would never expect food of this quality to be served. It is incredible! I had the duck in plum sauce. It was delicious and cooked perfectly. All of my friends loved their meals too, so much so that we are going to make this a regular and have booked to come back in a few weeks.

Great family run pub wonderful food!

The Blacksmith's Arms is exactly what a village pub should be. Great home cooked food at sensible prices. Well kept cask ales from local breweries (Exeter & Otter). Good rioja. A roaring log fire in the woodburner. My daughter loved the seasonal Halloween decor. We look forward to visiting again on our next trip to Devon.

We are on holiday from sussex, and are so pleased we found this GEM !! The family run pub is amazing !!! Alan’s gluten free fish ‘n’ chips are superb - and Susie and Ty’s hospitality so warm and friendly 😁 Would recommend highly We stayed in their holiday cottage onsite: and this property is of a very high standard / very impressed. Wish we had booked DIRECT with them; as we could have saved a few quid 💷 Such nice people !!!! Thanks guys.

Wonderful local pub with some amazing food and friendly staff. Could not have had a better experience!

FIRST CLASS great food and a very good experience

Very friendly pub and the food was great.

Visited The Balcksmith Arms with family and we all enjoyed a delicious Sunday Roast. Friendly and efficient service and a very warm welcome. Would definitely recommend them.

Friendly welcome, good food, very attentive staff, really enjoyed our evening - recommended!! .......

Wow, what a lovely establishment, I couldn't get over how lovely the back garden is, definitely place I'll return to in the future.

We were here last year so now in the area again for our second visit. As last year all our food was delicious. The pub is very cosy and all the staff are very friendly. Super will visit again when in the area.

We were delighted to find such a lovely local pub on our stay in the area, the food all home cooked was excellent, Alan, Susie and Tadhg gave us a warm welcome, we were so impressed we ate there every evening, can recommend the Lasagne with salad and garlic bread, my partner the Ground Steak Burger with Cheese, Bacon and Relish in a bap with Salad & Chips, well everything on the menu looked delicious and the puddings. Good range of local beers. Best to prebook Friday and weekends. They also have a super 2 bed holiday cottage to rent next door, the décor looked amazing so we may be back to stay.

It was my husbands 60th birthday meal. They went the extra mile to make it extra special. The food came out perfectly cooked. Desserts were amazing and to die for. There was 10 of us there and all the meals came out together all hot and well cooked. Would highly recommend this place. Super friendly and kind services.

Came with in my 5 children and partner. The owner was so accommodating, nothing was a problem. Lots of room out the back beer garden for the children to play. I’m sure at one point the owner wanted to join in. Will be returning. Food is amazing. Can’t think of any negative.

We booked ahead of our visit on a Friday night and very pleased we did, as the Blacksmith Arms was full, it appears very popular with locals and visitors. A good range of choice on the menu, all freshly cooked with ample portions, you would...

Well worth a visit. Family run pub/restaurant. Food cooked and prepared on premises. I’m a vegetarian, no problem for me.

My girlfriend and me were down from Cardiff for a few nights, had food here and it was great! We were able to take our staffy with no problems! Food and service was fantastic! Very cheap for what you get! Will be coming back!

What can I say... never have i gone into a pub for the 1st time ever and been treated like family. Me and my partner had just got engaged and the whole pub joined in congratulating us and buying procseeco, then there are staff who...

Lovely village pub with a great atmosphere. Lovely people behind and in front of the bar. Great choice of beers, wine and other drinks with and without alcohol 🍸. Never disappointed from the menu. Always tastes good and never leaves hungry. Is definitely worth a visit.

Great atmosphere. Brilliant family pub, full of character and charm

The reviews did not disappoint. Fabulous place, fabulous staff and fabulous food! Lovely atmosphere, we would love a local like this by where we live - all round lovely evening.

Lovely country pub great food friendly atmosphere and great service. Will definitely be visiting again.

We have just returned from a holiday in Plymtree where we found this lovely pub. The food was amazing, such large portions and all cooked to order, in fact we ate there four times during the week. We received such a warm and friendly welcome...

We visited the area on holiday and had Sunday lunch at The Blacksmiths Arms. The roast was amazing and portions generous. We couldn't resist deserts - the portions were so large we struggled to finish them! The service is friendly and we felt well looked...

Beautiful food really family friendly

We were on holiday in the local area and wanted to find a nice friendly pub. We couldn't have been made to feel more welcome by staff and locals. Food was really good, great choice, good portions and freshly cooked, best chips ever! Will definitely...

Busy country pub, good food, lovely friendly staff, highly recommended. Parking a little limited.

Fantastic family run local village Pub and very Dog friendly..Great food great atmosphere 😀

A great family pub with a lovely warm inviting atmosphere. Slightly off the beaten track, but well worth the journey. The food portions are excellent, I have a husband that eats enough for 2, and he's always satisfied. The food is hearty and extremely tasty comfort food, just what you need after a long day out. They also have a good selection of alcoholic beverages for those who are partial. Highly recommend.

Great country pub, with very polite and friendly staff. Good variety of options for vegetarians, which can be hard to visit. Definitely recommend if in the area.

We stayed in the village for a family holiday and loved going to the Blacksmith Arms. We were always greeted with a warm welcome by their friendly staff, and the food was delicious. It is a family run pub with a lovely atmosphere- would highly...

We called and booked a table last minute after reading great reviews. We moved to the area 12 months ago and have spent the whole of those whilst not locked down trying to find somewhere decent to eat out. Well...what can I say...this place is...

Absolutely amazing food, with great service and hospitality. Food was cooked to perfection. Would thoroughly recommend this village inn.

Found this place having read some good reviews. They weren’t wrong. The staff were friendly, the food was homemade and delicious. We had steak and ale pie, a scampi, ribs and a curry all fantastic. We were in the area on holiday and would definitely...

Home cooked food with generous portions particularly vegetarian meals and delicious desserts and lovely friendly staff,

I can't rate this pub highly enough! Very friendly the food was some of the best food we have eaten especially the vegetarian selection. I had mushroom Wellington it was gorgeous and my boyfriend had the Mexican lasagne which was equally as amazing. We were...

Very good and tasty food.. tasted home cooked. Staff were lovely Nd would defernatly come back

Great local pub with well prepared, tasty food and generous portions

Wow! We haven’t tasted home cooked food like that in a long time. Great menu, not too many choices and everything is cooked fresh, just like it says on the website. Not a microwave in sight! Thoroughly enjoyed it and just wish we had something...

Amazing food, family friendly pub, lovely beer garden and dog friendly, well worth a visit 😀

Came across this pub after driving around the locality to find a traditional local establishment whilst down here on holiday. We were not disappointed!. Fantastic warm welcome on a chilly evening was the best remedy after our weary travels. The food was amazing, we both...

Food portions were huge and staff were very welcoming

By far the best local pub in Devon. Welcoming, super friendly and the best atmosphere. Great selection of food and the service is just brilliant.

Great Food and lovely people !! Always a pleasure to visit the Blacksmiths and receive a warm and friendly welcome from Alan Susie and Tadhg. Alan’s cooking is superb and the portions are massive! Really enjoying the takeaways at the moment as nothing is too...

Alan and Susie are always busy! What a joy! If you have the patience you will have the best meal ever! So hospitable, cannot do enough! The food! Never had a bad meal the best takeaway!

When you phone up a place thats offering takeaway 10 mins after they open and they moan that they are so busy, then simply hang up on you, it leaves a rather poor impression. I'm pleased that the Blacksmiths Arms are doing so well in...

Great place to eat and drink. Excellent value for money, helpful team and good beer.

Fantastic food, lovely people. Highly recommended 5*+

A breath of fresh East Devon air, nice pint of Otter and lovely beer garden. Don't let a good pub go to the wall. Get down there and support local communities and facilities.

Excent food served promptly. This is a very frendly village pub at a good price. They like you to pre order when booking a table a day in advance for dinner as everything is purchase fresh. The roads into the village are rather narrow. This...

A lovely village pub serving food. A well poplar pub with the locals. They went out of there way to welcome you. A must for a second visit The steak was excent but phone 24 hous in advance as the food is bought to order

Amazing Value, Great food.. Visited on a Friday, busy but not packed... Dogs allowed in too... Really nice hosts, from the bar staff to the waitress everyone was really nice and helpful. I real local village pub. When the food arrived OMG.. cooked to perfection,...

Friendly owners and staff and nothing is too much trouble. Great banter with genuine country pub feel.

Super friendly staff and lovely food

Delicious roast and lovely staff! Perfect

Very sweet little pub with lovely staff and a delicious roast dinner!