Salterton Arms, Chapel Street, Budleigh Salterton

Friday, 9 March 2007.

This pub in Chapel Street, Budleigh Salterton, is a splendid example of what Punch Taverns can achieve when they go the whole hog and refurbish an entire pub from scratch. They did the same for the Queen Victoria pub in Tudor Street, Exeter, about two years ago.

Despite being a few yards up a little-used side street in Budleigh Salterton, the Salterton Arms should achieve great success in this small, genteel seaside town. The pub is still just a few yards from the famous Steamer Steps, found at the end of Rolle Road (a cul-de-sac), which lead down from the clifftop to the pebble beach and tea kiosk with the white plastic tables and chairs outside.

Outside, the Salterton Arms has the appearance of a small, semi-detached house, complete with bay windows and dressed in a sort of light olive paint. Step inside and the interior is splendid: stone flooring, fire places, comfortable wooden furniture and couple of large leather sofas. The bar is shiney and new and there is a fine selection of real ale - Pedigree, Wadsworth and, of course, Otter ale (this being the head of the estuary of the River Otter, the opposite end from Otter's brewery at Luppitt, the source of the famous river).

Today, I cycled all the way from Exeter to Budleigh Salterton and the main intention is fitness and enjoying the fine countryside along the way. So I have a cup of tea, delivered in bespoke 'Salterton Arms' white crockery, complete with a little jug of milk. Superb. And fairly reasonably priced at £1.50. Later, a cuppicino, £2.25 (rather expensive).

The Salterton Arms is a gem, and ideal for a summer visit.