Farmers Arms St Merryn in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly

Great pub. Cracking pint, excellent roast and a decent dartboard.

...busy but very good food...had a steak and ale pie which filled me up so I was unable to have put...

Went in for one pint after a surf and got a £100 parking fine. Fine came 2 weeks after “offence” so couldn’t even pay the lesser amount. No mention of needing to register number plates even after talking to bar staff and clearly coming in round the back from the car park. Very disappointing, used to live nearby (now a little up the coast) and pop in whenever I surf Harlyn. Will definitely avoid now, as will a lot of friends that used to do the same, shame.

My husband and I along with our daughter decided on a rare meal out during a week night. We decided to try The Farmers Arms as we live in a nearby village. I didn't realise they had a Wednesday carvery, or I would have tried that. I ordered the Hunter's Chicken and didn't want to cancel, although our lovely waitress offered. The dish was plentiful and delightful. The coleslaw was perfectly crispy and tasty. I don't like it plated as it gets too warm, so Ella, our waitress brought some out in a small pot and it was lovely. Hubby had the Scampi & chips and loved it and our picky daughter had the fish & chips and enjoyed it. The portions, delicious food and service was well worth the money. They have the best chips in my opinion...hand cut, crisp and fluffy and not so thick that they're soggy or dry. We'll be back for their Sunday carvery and it's nice to know they have it Wednesdays too.

Alway eat at this pub / restaurant when visiting, great value for money and food is excellent. Staff are friendly and never too busy to have a chat . Great tradition pub and bar with friendly locals.

Food was alright, not great though; Absolutely not worth the price. £20 for a pizza of that caliber is insane, I’ve eaten at ‘authentic’ Italian restaurants for less and received something far better. The fish and chips looked depressing Vegetable chilli was alright, but absolutely not worth £18 - the sauces were served in paper pots, for that kind of price one would at least expect an actual pot. Staff were nice, ambience was good, but I won’t be coming again.

Lovely friendly place. Top notch food. Very very nice staff who go above and beyond. Highly recommend the pizza.

Visited for lunch with dog in tow and received a warm welcome from staff. Pub was very quiet so had a choice of tables anywhere in the large bar area. We ate the cow pie, which was delicious, and an equally good burger with proper chips. Very reasonably priced and large portions. Spotted the Christmas Day menu which at under £40 a head looked an absolute bargain. Glad we visited. Thank you.

popped in for evening meal, friendly welcome, helpful host;the carvery really good value, decent portions of meat and good selection of veg; 2 main meals, 2 glasses wine, pint lager, 2 huge desserts all for under£70, really good value. best to book and check when carvery available.

Great food clean and friendly staff

Good service and a decent menu. Food a little changeable. My fish & chips was absolutely lovely but the chilli was a bit bland.

NEVER AGAIN!!! 2 HOURS AFTER EATING FELT SICK AND ENDED UP WITH THE SQUITS THE LADY BEHIND THE BAR WAS POLITE THATS HOW THIS PLACE EARNED THERE STAR VILE !!!!!

Visited today prior to driving home after a great holiday in Padstow. The reviews are mixed but we decided to give the carvery a try. We usually go to the Golden Lion in Padstow but that was fully booked sadly. On arrival, the barman was not welcoming at all, in fact he looked utterly miserable. We had the soup to start - it was onion. My Husbands was piping hot but mine was cold. The carvery was disappointing - the beef was so chewy & bland. Turkey was so dry. The veg was luke warm. The yorkie was the best bit. The table was sticky & only one toilet in the ladies was working. It all looks a little run down & in need of a refurb. Definitely would not return here & would not recommend.

After an enjoyable evening at a neighbouring establishment, we made our way back to the Farmers Arms, near where we were staying, for a relaxing nightcap only to be met by sarcasm, rudeness and a disconcerting attitude from the barstaff. Needless to say, this is one local business we WON'T be supporting again.

Great experience with staff and lovely food I had the farmers burger and kids had pizza and husband had lasagne all great food. Really nice to be at a traditional pub with decent pub grub and nice staff.

Fantastic service, brilliant food and lovely ales. Tremendously charming environment and atmosphere. This is a real pub. The Cow and Ale pie was fantastic

Such a wonderful dog friendly pub in a very inclusive village, can't recommend this place enough. Welcoming staff and a lovely jar full of dog treats!! Thank you to all for your kindness and friendliness.

Visited today for the Sunday carvery. We have been visiting this pub for several years and have always enjoyed returning. Were disappointed today to see the prices have dramatically increased and the standard has massively decreased. Despite arriving early the food was tepid at best, although the meat was nice, the veg was tasteless and either over cooked and dry or soggy. The man behind the bar needs to learn some hospitality skills, very rude indeed. Felt like we had inconvenienced him by arriving and daring to order a drink! Sadly, we won't be in a rush to return. A good pub ruined.

Lovely looking place. Friendly landlord. Didn't stop for food. Just a nice cold drink en route.

Friendly, humble and welcoming. This place was a quiet country pub a long time ago when I visited Cornwall regularly. After quite a few years, I'm back and and it is bigger and better but retains its character. I managed to visit to eat thee times in two weeks and the atmosphere was great. It has a friendly vibe with staff, regulars, and visitors. The food is very good with a simple menu and a specials board. My group tried a good range of food, including vegan/veggy, and all were well presented and proper size portions. My #1 was the cow pie, man alive! That pie is the Daddy of all the pies I have ever had. It had a great amount of quality meat in just the right amount of pastry to match the filling. The pricing was on point, too. It's never going to be cheap being the location, but it's not a shocker. Steak in the area are very over priced though. Happy with the parking with lots of room, so if your conscious about door dings it's easy to find a quiet spot. Also has a couple of disabled spots. You need to register your parking at the bar but the staff will most likely remind you.

Came in for a pint & lunch. Wow 👌 my husband had a Farmers Huntsman Ploughman salad , it was enormous, ham , cheese , coleslaw, pickle onions, mixed salad 🥗 gherkins, pickle & 2 small crusty rolls & butter. I had the double burger , cheese , bacon , coleslaw, mixed salad, onion rings , & chips. All I can say is absolutely fantastic food , service & staff. Well worth money on a fantastic lunch.. Even our dog had a burger with cheese & bacon.. Well worth a visit ....

Didn't stay overnight so rooms not required. However we did have a meal there. Huge portions, really well cooked and really hot 🔥 🥵

Amazing food and such quick service. We sat outside in the kids play area and it had a great atmosphere. *Edit* we ended up getting a parking charge notice from the car park as we were not aware it was not the pubs! However we got in touch with the pub and they were very helpful to cancel the fine which was appreciated. So in all, although we got a pcn the services and staff were great. Highly recommend

Booked a table for the restaurant online for 5pm on Sunday 15th September. Arrived about 15 minutes early. The bar was busy. Saw the entrance to the restaurant so went to go in and got told not to enter until 5pm by the older male serving behind the bar. There was no sign up informing us what to do or what not to do. Queued for service at the bar. When served by the same male, very rude with his manner towards us. We went outside to drink our drinks and then at 5pm queued to get in to the restaurant. Greeted by a very nice lady who then told one of the young servers to take us to our table. She left us and only came back to take our order and that was it. We went and queued for the carvery and went back to our table. Young server did not come to our table even when we tried to get her attention for more drinks. We watched the other servers who appeared very bubbly and polite to the tables they were assigned to. The carvery was excellent, however our overall experience was spoilt by our interactions with the grumpy male and our young server.

Never stopping here again. Rude owners/managers, live music was a joke, pints the most expensive in the village and food just not fit for consumption. How you can argue when the food is clearly undercooked is beyond me.

We stopped eating at this local pub over a year ago as the standard was low. We used to enjoy the curry night but bhaji’s were always burnt, boiled chicken added to the tikka masala was noted. It seemed that the pride of fresh cooking was lost. We have recently dropped by to meet friends and have been absolutely appalled at the attitude of the male manager. He takes no pride in pulling a pint and literally throws you an over poured pint. I observed that he can’t pull a two pour pint of Guinness and his rudeness to tourists and unknown locals like ourselves is absolutely unforgivable. With a don’t give a damn attitude like his I am not surprised that many locals avoid this pub.

Great food, great atmosphere with friendly staff and a fun landlady. Very good vegetarian options and dog friendly. Will be going back and highly recommend.

Went in for 2 pints, didn't see the parking signs. No one at the bar told me to register my car details for parking. Fined £60. Never will I go here again

Lovely setting, great staff, food was delicious, the teens loved the home made lasagne carvery was very nice, great range of drinks and a lively beer garden to relax in afterwards. The landlord was great, she couldn't do enough for us, even bought our birthday girl a drink ..

Pop in here when on holiday now that the tredrea inn is closed 🥺

Basic food but very nice what we had, not much choice really. Staff were very nice and attentive.

£20 for a pizza? Are you having a laugh? Came here 20 years on the trot, several times per holiday. You’re taking the mickey with your prices.

My partner and I had the Sunday Carvery it was stunning the best we have had for a long time. Pub was lovely and all the staff were very welcoming.

I was in here tonight in the beer garden listening to the band which they were absolutely brilliant until the the manger kicked them out

Went for a meal in the early evening. Staff were really good, attentive and they made sure we had put our reg in for the car park. Traditional pub food, reasonably priced. We will definitely be returning when next in the area.

Inadequate signage in the car park. This is clearly deliberate so they can force people to rack up fines. Very dishonest and out of order.

Ordered a vegetarian lasagne but it was almost entirely cheese, was very hard to find any veg in it. Felt quite sick afterwards. Expect better for a £16 meal.

Fantastic meat pie. Just have to have it every time!

Good food and very quick service. Portion sizes were large. The carvery was great, large amounts of meat and then fill your plate with the extras you want. Huge car park at the back (don’t forget to type in your number when you arrive) and play area for the children

Great pub..terrific welcome from JC….. Food just great…..but sharing with more dogs than people just does not make it! We won’t be back as they are obviously more important to your business than us mere humans!

Arrived at around 6pm asked if space for 5 + child in high chair to which I was told there was Ordered drinks and food simultaneously and the food came out suspiciously quickly after the drinks Tucked in only to find the formed scampi was mushy and watery inside with un appetising soggy chips especially as the coleslaw had gone runny and leached into them. Complained and had changed to a burger that was OK. However having been several times before myself and family feel standard's have dropped significantly since the new management have taken over.

Brilliant little find, decent food and good selection of drinks. The lady who I believe may be the owner is an absolute gem, extremely hospitable, kind welcoming and can’t do enough for customers. Made sure we had a good table to eat our tea and watch the football, and we didn’t have to leave the table again as the service was attentive and super smiley! Great vibe thank you so much we will be back !

Nice traditional pub, very busy for a Monday night, which is a good sign.

We popped here for our evening meal and didn’t have a reservation. We had our two large dogs with us. We were given a great table to accommodate us. The staff were very friendly and efficient, the food was really good quality and great value. Glad we arrived when we did because it filled up quickly. Highly recommend.

Great food, warm welcome with friendly service. Good menu choice. Wish we'd discovered it sooner. Went last 2 nights of hols, great both times. Home made food, fab chips and puds to die for. No charge for extra custard, ice cream or clotted cream with puds. Owner clearly loves her job and this is reflected in staff. Can't wait to go again next year.

Excellent food very friendly landlady reasonable price

We ate at the Farmers last year, and the food was reheated to the point it was dry and hard. The extra gravy didn't help with the pie. We went back this year in the hope things may have improved but they haven't. Curry of the day was edible but obviously not homemade but my partners Lasagne was reheated, dry, and a quarter of it was burnt and inedible. It's such a shame as it's the local to many that have caravans and holiday homes in St. Merryn. We definitely won't be going back!

We were only here one night. From the coast 42 min. on foot. Nice place, nice pub. You can eat properly here. Friendly, very hard-working staff. The breakfast was excellent, served personally by the boss. The room was very small, two single beds. Already a bit worn out. The bathroom with a bathtub was ok and clean.

Stayed 3 nights with my dog. Staff are great, couldn't do enough to ensure me and especially my dog were well catered for. Excellent food. Great location with fantastic beaches and coastal path nearby.

Wonderful hospitality, great food, busy at times Definitely go again Bert and Ernie

Excellent meal at this lovely traditional Cornish pub. Very friendly staff, efficient service. I had the Hunters Chicken, huge portion, husband had the steak and ale pie and mash. The pie was a proper one, not just in a dish with pastry lid! We will probably return at the end of our holiday. It was very busy, so advisable to book.

Eaten here twice in last week. The landlady was extremely welcoming. Choice on menu okay. Lunch offering better. But both were good hearty food.

Had my doubts about the Wednesday carvery, but it was delicious and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend

Had an amazing weeks holiday here with Harley the English Springer. Breakfasts were amazing. Nothing too much trouble. Got loads. Even Harley was given 2 sausages by the sausage lady aka Jacqui. We ate there every night also as the food was great and amounts were tummy busting. Diet starts now. Lol. Amazing entertainment on Saturday. Brilliant atmosphere in general. Beaches were within walking distance with beautiful scenery and great walks on the coastal paths. Can't rate high enough. Thanks Guys for a wonderful stay.

Stayed locally for a weeks holiday and the Farmers Arms was down the road from where we were staying and I cannot thank them and praise them enough for their service, hospitality and delicious food. Having visited a few times for food and drink with our dogs, one of them not comfortable around other dogs, they were so accommodating and always sat us where we could distance our dogs which has made such a difference to our holiday having initially been reluctant to dine out with her. The food was top and would definitely recommend. Made our holiday thank you so much.

Lovely pub nice location. Good music Steve panter. The most rude miserable bar staff I've ever come across.

I too had a pcn from car park. Didn’t see the number plate input at the bar. I messaged them on Facebook and they were so helpful, speaking to the relevant parties and cancelling the fine. The pub is also great, we go every year. Thank you again for your help!

£100 parking fine and we spent 45 mins having a drink. I certainly didn't see any signage on the way in to the car park (I came from Harlyn direction). POPLA appeal was of no use either, as they dismissed my evidence of inadequate signage by stating that others in the pub at the same time as me had registered their vehicle (yes, probably locals "in the know", or people who have had to learn the hard way by getting fined?!). Before visiting I had even checked the Farmers Arms website, and on the front page it clearly states the parking is free!! Seriously misled by this out of date information. No warning within the pub by staff or signage either. Looking at other poor reviews for this pub, I can see I'm not the first to be stung like this. Wouldn't be surprised if the pub are on commission from Civil Enforcement. Certainly won't ever go here again based on principle.

Had a nice meal here but the price for a bottle of Prosecco was well over the top at around £34, can not recall the exact price.

First time there. Managed to get a table and food was very nice. Staff were just as nice

Great place, great food and great staff

Been visiting this pub for the best part of 20 years allways recommended people to eat here , because it normally caters for vegetarians aswel as meat eaters , the carvery was dreadful , No nut roast available on Sunday and also the Wednesday for my wife , meat was average Sunday , Wednesday it was barely cooked , roast potatoes were hard , runner beans were stringy , Yorkshire puds looked like they were 3 days old , and gravy like water , very disappointed especially as it’s allways been amazing , I recommend you get a New chef on board asap , unfortunately 2 bad meals inside a week means we will not be back , which is a shame because it’s a great pub ! 😢

Great food and service thank you

We dropped in for a relaxed drink with friends whilst on holiday.

We popped in for lunch - it was utterly dire. I’ve had great lasagnes, and I’ve had poor ones, but I’ve never had anything like this one! Congealed, with a grey meaty sludge at the bottom, and almost tasteless. A tablespoonful of bought in coleslaw, and a few lank leaves did nothing to put lipstick on this particular pig! Oh, and it was vastly overpriced. My wife had the soup…vegetable but tasteless with no evidence of seasoning. Sadly, pubs are closing all over the UK - on what we experienced the Farmers’ Arms deserves to join the list.

Had a Carvery at this pub and it was quite possibly the best roast I’ve ever had. Phenomenal! Also had the Burger & chip and the chips were real chips not frozen ones. Lovely olde pub, fantastic food. Very highly recommended! Went to The Rick Stein pub down the road the night before and it was rubbish and twice as expensive!

Went back for our annual Easter Sunday roast and it was super as always. They are just so friendly and helpful, and great with our young family. Absolutely super. Best pub in the area by miles. Thank you very much.

Had a lovely meal this evening, we were made to feel very welcome by all the staff and very frienfly landlady, very dog friendly even bought water and treats for our golden retriever buddy. We will definitely visit again.x

A wonderful experience at this lovely cosy pub. Sunday roast superb and catered for a Gluten free request in a friendly and professional manner, nothing too much trouble. Would highly recommend this gem of a pub🤩

Excellent service good wholesome food and a lot of it! The pub is huge🙀 Well done guys it’s hard to find places that tick all the boxes.

Had a Sunday evening carvery service and food both good and as you would expect for pub food. Would be happy to recommend.

If tales of tavern glory and culinary conquests tickle your fancy, then fasten your seatbelts. We’re taking a detour to The Farmers Arms in St Merryn, where the atmosphere is as rich as their gravy (more on that later). 🍽️ Strategically positioned at a crossroads that’s more popular than a sunny spot on a chilly day, this gem doesn’t just face a petrol station; it stands as a testament to good food, great company, and an even greater welcome. And let's not forget its prime location across from that tempting fish & chip shop. It's like the universe conspired to bring all good things together at one junction. Parking's a breeze, thanks to their futuristic ANPR system. Just don't forget to register your carriage upon arrival, or you might find yourself with a magical slip of paper demanding gold. 🚙✨ Dog aficionados, rejoice! The Farmers Arms could well be the utopia you’ve been dreaming of. Here, dogs aren’t just allowed; they’re celebrated. Fancy a sleepover? Their B&B rooms are ready to pamper your pooch. Imagine that – a pub that loves your dog as much as you do. 🐕‍🦺 Waltzing in for lunch is as easy as pie, but when it comes to dinner, and especially their legendary Sunday Carvery, making a reservation is as essential as seasoning in cooking. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this feast. Ah, the Sunday Carvery. It was Mothering Sunday when our party of 14 descended upon this culinary haven, each dish served was a testament to the chefs' dedication and skill. And yes, while I navigate the tricky seas of potato starch intolerance, the team at The Farmers Arms navigated it with me. Though the gravy was off-limits (crafted with the usual potato starch), the chefs kindly whipped up some fresh rice. And when it came to the cauliflower cheese, extra cheese sauce on my plate made for a delightful substitute. 🧀 About the Yorkshire Pudding – while tales of its enormity have been greatly exaggerated (by me, in a previous telling), let me set the record straight: it was a perfectly normal size but crafted with such skill that it felt like a feast in its own right. Meats? Oh, the meats. Asking for a bit of each – beef, turkey, and gammon – I was presented with a bounty fit for royalty. Each slice was a masterpiece: tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection. Accompanied by a hearty selection of fresh vegetables, the meal was a symphony of flavours, a true celebration of farm-to-table freshness. In summary, The Farmers Arms is not just a pub; it's a slice of paradise for food lovers, dog enthusiasts, and anyone in between. With its heartwarming atmosphere and culinary prowess, it’s a beacon of joy in Cornwall. I’m already plotting my return to this bastion of delight and highly recommend you do the same. For those in search of joy, a full belly, and perhaps a new favorite spot, look no further than The Farmers Arms. Your table awaits! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Beautiful good food good prices gorgeous setting can say no more.

Great food. Excellent service.

Quiet meal out absolutely ruined. Landlord screeching at a customer was almost as bad as the sorry excuse for "entertainment" that struck up in the corner. Food was tolerable but not great for what it cost. Never felt so embarrassed on a date. As It was my recommendation from visiting 7 or 8 years ago. Seriously gone down hill. Do not visit!!

Sadly we didn’t read any reviews before our visit food was very average but not the price we paid bar man apparently the owner looked unapproachable so we didn’t say anything not sure I’d give it a second go

Absolutely fabulous. Great food, great service, great atmosphere and dog friendly. Couldn't have asked for a better place to stop after a beach walk. Will definitely be back.

March 2022: We arrived in the village just after 8 PM and needed dinner but no other establishment was open. They close their kitchen at 8 but told us they'd reopen it for us. The food was amazing, decor was cozy and warm, and the staff were as friendly as ever. I would absolutely recommend. 2 year update: Not much has physically changed. It still seems warm and cozy inside. However, the menu has substantially diminished and the food tasted like every other pub kitchen. It feels less like an inclusive establishment and more like a business. Aside from the interior, this is your average pub.

Came for food and happy hour drinks, drank more than usual obvs coz of the offer, and joked with the barman about having an extra round as it was happy hour. Only when we came to pay our bill we are told they don't do it any more??? It only just started?? Absolutely scammed. Avoiding until they get a new landlord!

Booked for Sunday lunch and the carvery was amazing. The food ordered from the menu was not so amazing but we still enjoyed it. Just a note to the team on tabling, we booked 2 dogs in but were sat at the table right in front of the entry/exit point, which is a bottle neck with folk trying to get seated and pay, this simply isn't the best place to put folks with dogs. We asked to be moved and were without issue but perhaps take payment at people's tables to ease this situation.

Where else can you get a meal deal on a Saturday evening and what a deal it is: 2 ribeye steaks with all the trimmings and a bottle of wine for £35. My steak was delicious. The chips were nicely crunchy. The service was welcoming and friendly. Why go anywhere else?

Brilliant food, good service. Highly recommended

Some rough looking people from st columb minor council estate

If u want a really lush carvery look no further than the farmers arms ,good quality of food the best roast I have ever had the roast potatoes were to die for!!!!! The staff are really friendly n helpful u couldn’t wish for a better service,so if u are ever in st Merryn pop into the farmers arms !!!! All the food was fantastic !!

Over promised under delivered . Disappointed in the evening carvery and mark up on wine .( £6 in supermarket price in pub £22 !!!!) carvery was just kept warm all day greasy parsnips Cauifloer cheese under cooked . Massively over priced . Plus side good local band

Great Sunday carvery. Good value. Friendly service.

Excellent customer service. Very accommodating if you have dietary restrictions. They went out of their way to make our experience a good one. Would go back again.

Olde worldly traditional English dog friendly pub

Sadly this pub has gone the same way as many others in the area. Over priced and poor quality. I had the home made chilli. Very disappointing, I thought it was strange that I had to remove a large bay leaf from the food at the beginning and then I realised that this must had been a bolagnaise sauce for the home made chilli which they had just dumped kidney beans in. The rest of the families food was mediocre too I’m sad to say. If you want a beer and watch sky sports this is the place. If you want a nice quality well prepared meal - find somewhere else.

Regular visitors whenever in the area. Staff very friendly, service efficient. food very good and reasonably priced. A proper village pub.

Gone down hill was a great little village pub food was average there are plenty of good eateries just as local I’m not sure I’d return

Great Staff, great food. Excellent Sunday carvery lunch with really well prepared vegetables, very good beef and gammon. Would definitely recommend 👍

We have one again had the most amazing food and wonderful service. We have eaten here for over 20 years and never had a bad meal. Long may this continue.

Fantastic meal. There were 12 of us celebrating a birthday and we had incredible service and felt completely spoilt. We all opted for the Sunday carvery which was delicious and all plates were cleared.

Fantastic experience….staff went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time…food was delicious….would definitely recommend it

Sadly the staff weren’t very attentive, left us stood waiting whilst they had a good chat with their colleagues. We walked out in the end as they insisted that we should pay for swapping the garlic bread for chips even though they were the same price - that’s just profiteering.

Fabulous carvery as always - very welcome as we had just made our move to Cornwall - this will be a place we will be visiting regularly for their lovely food. Really friendly and helpful staff - highly recommended

Been coming here for over 40 years. Food is excellent but we miss the carvery. Relaxed family atmosphere.

Been here many times. A little bit more illuminated than my last visit😆. Food was very good if a little bit huge. Definitely value for 💰. Helpful friendly staff.

Excellent friendly pub with a really good buzz Thanks to ALL