Imagine the dream dining pub: a creative chef crafting sublime dishes; its own farm supplying the homegrown, reared and foraged produce; and an innovative drinks line-up utilising handcrafted cordials and own-infused spirits. And it’s all complemented by accommodation that mixes vintage glamour with modern luxury.
A visit to The Farmers Arms (part of The Collective at Woolsery, a curation of village enterprises from tech entrepreneurs Michael and Xochi Birch) turns this wishlist into reality.
Dine in any of the three beautifully rustic dining rooms or bag a table in the garden courtyard to feast alfresco on head chef Toby Neal’s reinterpretations of British classics.
The Birch Farm tasting menu provides a seasonal showcase of the produce and meat from The Collective’s 150-acre farm and surrounding producers. Delights include the likes of ‘Ramson’, a main comprising Whiteface Dartmoor hogget with morel and asparagus, and ‘Gorse’, a pudding of sweet cicely, woodruff and cultured yogurt.
Visiting for a special occasion? The Potting Shed is a delightful spot for up to 18 people to enjoy a private dining experience – complete with seasonal bar and stunning farm location.
On Sundays, plump for a family-style lunch to gorge on a waistband-stretching smorgasbord of roast favourites.
Trencherman’s tip
The Collective’s accommodation holds a prestigious Michelin Key. Stay in one of the gorgeous suites or rooms above the village shop or push the boat out with a few nights in one of three luxe cottages.