I was looking for another Devon pub to while away the hours whilst our son was at a South West Music School’s workshop http://www.swms.org.uk/, when I found The Anchor Inn, just outside of Exmoor, on the South East tip. I called them on the Friday afternoon and was immediately put at ease by the lady who handled the call and the voice of the chef in the background. As soon as I said I was a coeliac, I could hear him immediately say “Don’t worry, let us know it’s you when you arrive and I will make some special gravy for you.” Winner!

Sunday Carvery at The Anchor Inn, Exebridge

So when we arrived, we were cold and damp from a drizzly walk along the beautiful River Barle, bordered by clumps of hope inspiring spring snowdrops. We were shown to our table, very close to a roaring wood burner…couldn’t have asked for a better spot! Hubby ordered a local lager, which he said was very nice.

The very helpful and welcoming staff made sure that they knew who I was and confirmed that when I was ready to go to the carvery to let them know and they would get the chef to prepare the special gluten free gravy. I went to the carvery and made myself known to the server and he informed me what I could have from the selection. Although I couldn’t have the cheesy leeks, the cauliflower cheese, the stuffing and the Yorkshire puddings, there were three choices of meat and more than enough choices of vegetables. A gravy boat full of gluten free gravy especially for me was passed over.

The food was fab! Really good quality meat (I am funny about meat!). I ordered both turkey and pork and both were very well cooked and tasty. According to hubby, the cauliflower cheese was really lovely with the cauli cooked al-dente just how I like it – nothing worse than mushy cauliflower! It was a really nice meal in a really chilled environment.

Dessert at The Anchor Inn, Exebridge

As always my eyes were way bigger than my belly – the dog thought it was Christmas as he had my leftover meat. I would never normally feed him human food, but I couldn’t waste the good quality meat and knowing it would just be thrown away it would have been a shame not to give it to him!

The landlady came over and asked what I would like for dessert. On the blackboard there wasn’t anything that appeared to be gluten free, however, bless the chef, he offered to make me the apple and plum crumble, without the topping. Initially I was a bit “meh”, but said yes to that and custard. I’m so glad I did. The presentation was beautiful – a little enamel dish for my stewed fruit and a cute little enamel jug for my custard. The fruit was really lovely. Steaming hot, but just that something a little bit different, so I felt catered for.

All in all a great little, welcoming pub. The service was friendly and considerate, the atmosphere warm and inviting and most of all the food was well cooked, tasty and filling… what more could you ask for?