Quick info
About Holman Clavel Inn
Holman Clavel Inn is a pub on Culmhead in Taunton, set in the Blackdown Hills. It is the only pub in England to bear its name, which comes from the ancient oak beam above its inglenook fireplace. Inside, the stone walls and flagstone floors frame two wood-burners, and the inglenook keeps its original bread oven. The bar pours real ales and three ciders from local producers, and a separate dining room sits alongside it. A specials board carries a lot of seafood and fish, with bouillabaisse and venison among the dishes, and the Sunday roast has a vegetarian version. Live Irish music sessions run on the first Thursday of each month, and the calendar also includes quiz nights and curry nights. The pub is open every day except Tuesday.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention specials board seafood, sunday roast, bouillabaisse and mussels.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention specials board seafood, sunday roast, bouillabaisse and mussels.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the specials board, especially the fish, with the bouillabaisse, mussels and a squid salad starter named alongside venison as standouts. Close behind is the welcome from friendly staff, including a barman described as rushed off his feet yet still excellent. Diners also mention big portions, a vegetarian Sunday roast and a dog friendly setup with water provided for dogs. One family with three toddlers was given a private room, and the kitchen opened a little early for their orders. The main complaint comes from a regular of about three years, who says food has slipped this summer and describes a long wait at the bar on a Friday night, with no attention paid to who had been waiting longest, so they skipped ordering food. Another reviewer dislikes the fast traffic on the road in front of the pub, and one notes parking is roadside. Several describe a lively, busy room full of locals, and one reviewer was too full for pudding.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the specials board, especially the fish, with the bouillabaisse, mussels and a squid salad starter named alongside venison as standouts. Close behind is the welcome from friendly staff, including a barman described as rushed off his feet yet still excellent. Diners also mention big portions, a vegetarian Sunday roast and a dog friendly setup with water provided for dogs. One family with three toddlers was given a private room, and the kitchen opened a little early for their orders. The main complaint comes from a regular of about three years, who says food has slipped this summer and describes a long wait at the bar on a Friday night, with no attention paid to who had been waiting longest, so they skipped ordering food. Another reviewer dislikes the fast traffic on the road in front of the pub, and one notes parking is roadside. Several describe a lively, busy room full of locals, and one reviewer was too full for pudding.
Featured reviews
- Martin Lawrence
“We had a lovely lunch stop at this amazing pub which felt like being in the middle of nowhere. We were welcomed as soon as we stepped through the door by 3 people. ( Not sure if they were all staff 🤔). This is a gem of a country local and soon filled up which we thought was amazing for a Monday lunchtime. I did book ahead because the kitchen was open and it was on our way to where we were going. We were not the only ones eating - the place was buzzing - more like a pub diner on a Friday evening in a town! The food was really good so there must have been a lot of hard work going on in the kitchen. There was a lot of seafood/fish on the menu, especially the Specials board but still something for everyone, fish, meat, or veggie. The young lady running the bar was excellent and nothing was too much trouble. Everything was so laid back considering how busy it got after about 12.30/1.00. There is room to eat in the bar and plenty more tablets outside. There didn't seem to be a large parking area but I wouldn't let that put you off. Absolutely thoroughly recommend this pub which also has quiz nights, bingo, curry nights, and live music sometimes at weekends.”
- Lucy
“We have been going to the Holman Clavel for a few years now and it never disappoints. Always such a lovely meal and great menu. We had the mussels recently and they were just delicious. The Holman Clavel is often our go to for a lovely Sunday roast too! The service is always fantastic and dog friendly too!”
- Spring to Summer
“Have been coming here regularly on Summer Friday nights for about three years. Fantastic pub, good vibe. Previous years have been really good on food and drink service. This Summer not so good. Food not as good as it was. Service at the bar tonight 40 minutes, no real attention to who has been waiting for a while as opposed to who just rocked up to the bar. Didn’t bother to order food tonight as looked like mayhem.”
- The flyfishing Instructor
“I go there about 20 times a year, in my opinion it's the best food on the Black down hills. The specials board is amazing especially if you like fish. Today I had the bouillabaisse, honest to god one of the best dishes I've had in the last 10 years anywhere. Barman rushed off his feet bless him but very welcoming and excellent. Just go there.”
- Jamie Seth
“Nice place, enough parking, tasty big plates. Range of non alcohol beers. Not often I'm too full for pudding.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Tucked in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Holman Clavel is the only pub in England to bear its name — taken from the ancient oak beam above its fireplace. Step inside to thick stone walls, flagstone floors and two crackling wood-burners, including a huge inglenook with its original bread oven. No TVs, no machines — just proper conversation, real ales, and three ciders from local producers. Our menu is cooked fresh from locally sourced ingredients, with gluten-free and vegetarian options always available. Dogs, muddy boots, walkers and families are all welcome, with a beer garden for sunny days and live Irish music sessions on the first Thursday of every month. A true Somerset country pub, done right.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Location
Bars near Holman Clavel Inn
- Perkin Warbeck3.92,2735.3 mi away
pizza, cider selection, chicken wings
- The Hankridge Arms4.31,0656 mi awayWheelchair accessible
homemade cheesecake, dog friendly, ice cream scoops
- The Bathpool Inn4.31,6996.4 mi awayReservationsOutdoor seatingGood for kids
allergy accommodation, roast dinner, beer garden
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holman Clavel Inn | 4.7458 | — | specials board seafood, sunday roast, bouillabaisse |
| Perkin Warbeck | 3.92,273 | 5.3 mi away | pizza, cider selection, chicken wings |
| The Hankridge ArmsWheelchair accessible | 4.31,065 | 6 mi away | homemade cheesecake, dog friendly, ice cream scoops |
| The Bathpool InnReservations · Outdoor seating · Good for kids | 4.31,699 | 6.4 mi away | allergy accommodation, roast dinner, beer garden |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
