A week or so ago when I gave all you Hivers a look around my hometown Newton Abbot I mentioned it had more than its fair share of pubs well that got me thinking of exactly how many there were so over the week I've been making a list on my daily walks and cycle rides so here goes I will group them roughly by location.
Pubs on Queen Street.
If you arrive in NA by train the first pub you come across is the RAILWAY INN situated in the station car pack this a lively little pub with good beers and great live music,
197 Queen Street, TQ12 2BS
As you go up into the town the next one is the THE SARACENS HEAD just off the main street a really cracking little pub very friendly and the food is good too.
And one of the best pub signs in the town
2-4 Fairfield Terrace, TQ12 2LH
THE RICHARD HOPKINS Newton Abbots Wetherspoons exactly the same as every other Wetherspoons.
Cheap beer, sticky carpets, bad food, and grumpy bar staff. I'd rather drink my own urine come to think on it I'd rather drink someone else's than drink there.
34-42 Queen Street, TQ12 2EW
25 yards up the road gets you to ORSINO LOUNGE it's not really a pub more a licensed
coffee bar with draught continental lagers absolutely soulless but the coffee is better than the beer.
30 Queen Street, TQ12 2EQ
Pubs Near the Market
Next to the entrance to the Cattle Market,
you will find THE SWAN Interesting Grade 2 listed building dates from the 17 century with good real ales and ciders.
4 Highweek Street, TQ12 1TG
Walking down towards the pannier market the GOLDEN LION is the next one to come across
The GOLDEN LION Newtons oldest Pub It started life as The Oxford Arms in 1623, and its name changed to The Golden Lion in 1722 a few old coggers at the bar probably remember that. It has the name of being a good music pub with live bands and open mike nights of that's your bag.
4 Market Street, TQ12 2RB
A little further down the road is THE MARKET GATE bit of an odd mix of really tiny pub and American Smokehouse Great steaks hotdogs and Burgers so I have been told.
3 Market Street, TQ12 2RJ.
Not a pub as you would know it BAR 7 the best description I can give is it's a trendy Rockin Party Bar over 25s club lounge need I say more.
7 Market Street, TQ12 2RJ
Finally bringing pubs around the Market to a close is one of my favorites THE JOLLY FARMER another good music venue that supports lots of local groups with a nice beer and good pub grub and opposite the local cinema so great for a pre-movie pint if you have the bladder for it.
8 Market Street, TQ12 2RB.
OK let's look at the pubs Near the Clock Tower
First of all the UNION INN Not really sure where to put this one it's on East Street which is the next venue but it also in spitting distance from the clock tower Old traditional Pub great atmosphere. they also do rooms so handy if you're not in a fit state to drive home the food is good too.
6 East Street, TQ12 1AF
Right Next to the tower is the TWENTY TWENTY bit of a strange place if I'm being honest trying to be trendy and modern in continental lagers and cocktails but lacks atmosphere. The food can be a bit hit and miss.
9 Wolborough Street, TQ12 1JR
Make your way up from the Clock Tower towards the Totnes Road and you get to the last of our clock tower trio WOLBROUGH INN nice friendly traditional pub good real ales, Sunday roasts are meant to be good too.
55 Wolborough Street, TQ12 1JQ
Pubs on East Street pub crawl central
On the opposite side of the road from the Union Inn is THE WHITE HART another traditional pub this old coaching house still has its original beams. Dog-friendly and an open mike night could make for an interesting combination.
8 East Street, TQ12 1AG
On the same side, about 25m up the road THE JOLLY ABBOT another one of Newtons Older pubs this one has a main bar with beamed ceilings, timber columns, and an open fireplace. I understand it only does meals on a Sunday.
16-18 East Street, TQ12 1AG
The opposite side of the road and 20m, don't get run over, you arrive at THE LOCOMOTIVE INN nowhere near the railway station this one is another 17th-century Grade II listed building nice and warm in the winter with open fireplaces in each bar, timber beams, dark wood paneling it has a very traditional pub feel.
35-37 East Street, TQ12 2JP
Same side and about 40m up the road the DARTMOUTH INN dating from 1674 not quite as old as the Golden Lion but not far of off another pub with lots of original features and it serves Dartmoor Legend one of my favourite beers you are what you drink.
63 East Street, TQ12 2JP
Not far to stagger this time the TEIGN CELLARS is next door good food menu and a large beer selection THe pub has an interesting history as its cellar was used as the 'oakum picking room', where paupers were assigned to produce oakum by un-twisting old hemp ropes. Oakum was used to seal the seams of wooden boats.
67 East Street, TQ12 2JR
Finally how about a nice glass of cider at YE OLDE CIDER BAR another 30m up o the same side
As I said on my walk around Newton this is one of only two remaining true Cider Bars in England. IN the past they would only serve half pints to women and holidaymakers some of the brews are rather strong. besides cider from the barrel Perrys and traditional fruit wines, they do bar snacks at lunchtime.
99 East Street, TQ12 2LD
Pubs on the edge of the town
Pulling off the A380 to drive into Newton the first pub you see is the TOBY CARVERY this chain pub one of around 180 it has a huge car park most of the locals still call it the PEN INN even though it changed its name years ago nothing really remarkable of note if you have been to a Harvester you will know what to expect.
Torquay Road, TQ12 4AQ
THE LINNY Coffinswell this country pub used to be my local when my wife was alive it's in a small village about 30 minutes walk away along the footpath that runs behind my house so a nice beer after a pleasant evening stroll but not so much fun on your own. Very traditional village pub with a great high-end food menu. they also do a good takeaway menu now thanks to Covid
The Linny Ridgeway Lane, Coffinswell TQ12 4SR
Another country pub within walking distance from my house is THE BARN OWL INN Halls and woodhouse pub so BADGER ALES are the order of the day the food is really good too.
Really cracking pub sign too.
Barn Owl Inn, Aller Road Kingskerswell, TQ12 5AN
The last nearly a pub on my list is the KEYBERRY ARMS over towards Decoy Park it really is a bit more of a hotel than a pub but it does have a good bar and most of the locals use it as a pub
17 Kingskerswell Road, Newton Abbot TQ12 1DQ ·
Finally Hivers another not a pub but it's getting a mention and that's TUCKERS MALTINGS Home the Newton Abbots Teignworthy Brewery on a good day you can smell the hops from about 50m away. Pre covid they used to host a beer festival and run brewery tours which I hope they start again.
While it's not a pub it does have a Taphouse and Bottle shop
The Maltings Teign Road, Newton Abbot TQ12 4AA
And I'll leave you with some of the local Artwork.
