Church House Inn at Holne
Food Review by Jill Pendleton 11th June 2011
Church House Inn at Holne, Dartmoor in Devon, TQ13 7AZ
It's not often nowadays that the only traffic noise you hear is that of 2 horses walking through the main
thorougfare, but this is heart of Dartmoor and Holne is not on any main road. It's a sleepy village with the pub
at it's heart and today we are on our way from taking photos at a new self catering that we have on my website.
It's Rob's birthday, and by way of a treat I suggest the Church House Inn
for lunch. Just after noon we step inside and it's more or less empty.
I like the interior of this establishment. It's exactly what you want in a country pub. Tables with fresh flowers dotted around the main room,
with with smiling young chap behind a wooden bar. A large pile of today's papers for customers. A blackboard of specials, peace and quiet only broken by Michael Bouble at just the right volume. Perfect.
A few more customers drift in. Two sets of walkers and an older couple
who mention to the barman that they were married by Michael Ramsy, the then Archbishop of Canterbury who used to frequent the pub when he was alive. Having overheard their conversation I point out a photo on the wall
above my head of said gentleman with the pub in the background.
It's not surprising that the lad at the bar knew not of him, as the good cleric died in 1988, some 23 years ago. It's the couples' wedding anniversary and we exchange congratulations for that and the fact
that Rob is celebrating his birthday. All terribly British, I love it !
On the excuse that if we share a starter, then we can share a pudding, we have ordered 4 tiger prawns, and they
look so delicious, that I almost forget to take a photo. So the shot above is of only 2 of the prawns, sorry, and they
were very good. Fortunately served with a hot water fingerbowl, as you know how messy they can be.
£5.50 for the prawns and mini baguette straight out of the oven. Big enough to share as a starter. Excellent.
For our mains, Rob chose and enjoyed this trio of venison saugages 
and I went for the pie of the day, chicken and ham pie which had the most super rich pastry
and generous chunks of chicken.
I think that this chap who came to help the young barman is the owner of the pub, I am sure someone will tell me
if I am wrong. If so he is called Anthony, as the blackboard tells that "Anthony and Helen welcome you "
More people arrive and then a surge of folks eleven in total arrive at the bar with rucksacs and maps strung
around their necks.... They struggle to find a place where they can all sit together, so the publican offers the 
more private dining room just inside the front door. Which as you see, suits them very well.
I pick up a flyer that says there will be a classical guitar and flute duo to serenade the customers during Sunday lunch tomorrow, and on the back it tells me that the pub run a charity quiz night each first Monday of the month, and that Friday night is always fish and chip night. What with that and the fact that Wednesday night is Roast Night, with a half roast chicken with roast potatoes and vegetables £20 for a table of four and £10 for a table of two, they must keep busy.
On the way home the new foals are out in full.
The bill came to £31.15 including a Plymouth gin and tonic,a J20 for Rob, and no need for puddings.
Will we go again? Yes I hope so....
Church House Inn at Holne, Dartmoor in Devon, TQ13 7AZ
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