The Rugglestone Inn
Imagine stepping into a beautiful stone cottage, brimming with character and history – that's exactly what you'll find here! It's a truly special place where every corner tells a story.
You're in for a treat with their excellent selection of real ales and beers on tap, ensuring there's something delightful for every taste. The staff behind the bar are just lovely; friendly faces ready to help you find your perfect pint.
Outdoor Bliss and Rustic Charm Step outside, and you'll discover a huge, beautifully lawned beer garden, offering ample space to relax and soak up the peaceful atmosphere. Adding to its unique charm, a picturesque little stream gently meanders between the pub and the garden – how idyllic is that? And keep an eye out for their friendly chickens roaming freely, adding a delightful touch of rustic charm.
Inside, the excellent flagstone floor adds to the authentic, historic feel, and you'll even find informative details about the surrounding moors, perfect for curious explorers. Oh, and from what we saw, the food looked absolutely delicious – definitely something to look forward to on your next visit
P&P
Background....
Originally a farmhouse, it became an inn in 1823, reportedly after local women burned down a nearby pub and its license was transferred to this building. It was named after a local "logan stone," a naturally balanced granite formation.
For 170 years, until 1992, the inn was owned and run by the Lamb family, with Audrey Lamb being the last owner from that lineage. During this time, it was known as one of the smallest pubs in England and was famous for its Bass beer, served straight from the barrel. Before the establishment of the NHS, the front room of the inn, now the bar, served as a base for the "Widecombe Sick Club," a community-run private medical service.
When Richard and Vicki Palmer bought the Inn twelve years ago, they aimed to maintain its traditional charm rather than converting it into a gastro-pub. They have since installed a commercial kitchen, refurbished the interior, and converted a barn into self-catering accommodation. The Inn still embraces its farmhouse origins, with pigs, ducks, chickens, and even a turkey roaming freely. The Palmers also have a smallholding that supplies pork and lamb for the Inn.
The Rugglestone Inn is a Grade II listed building and has received accolades such as being a runner-up in the 2018 Countryfile Country Pub of the Year awards and consistently appearing in the Good Beer Guide (GBG). It was also voted Local CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2012 and 2017, and overall runner-up for 2022 by the local CAMRA branch.
