The Castle Inn, Lydford

The Castle Inn, with its cosiness, comfort food and moorland magnetism, is a real foodie find. Hannah and Jared Lothian are the heart and soul of this 16th-century pub, found in a fairytale setting amid wooded valleys close to the Granite Way trail.

Determined to reinvigorate the ancient building and turn it into a welcoming community hub, the couple took it on as tenants in 2019 and have since brought home a haul of awards – a sure sign of its new-chapter success.

The menu hits the crowd-pleasing sweet spot where elevated pub classics meet fancier fare. Whipping up the goods in the kitchen is award-winning chef Mike Palmer (best known for his long tenure at nearby Two Bridges Hotel in Princetown), whose cooking creds make him a bewitching addition to this pub.

Mike majors on fulsome flavours, so expect starters such as torched peach, ripped burrata and hot honey. Mains are equally packed with flavour and texture and include the likes of Holsworthy pork tenderloin with bubble and squeak, confit fennel and cider café au lait. Pimped-up desserts include banoffee mousse with caramel crème and chocolate crumb.

As a guarantee of ingredient origin, the menu lists the vast range of local suppliers.

Trencherman’s tip

Hannah and Jared also run The Copley Arms in Cornwall. Visit for similar community-centric values, warm hospitality and fab food on the River Seaton, just five minutes from the sea.