How many of us in the SW have enjoyed the journey from Paddington to the SW on the Pullman on FGW. It has become one of our favourite features of travelling. Watching the departure board at Paddington, legging it as soon the platform is announced to join the queue for the dining carriages and holding your breath until you get that table where you can enjoy the ambiance, food and company of fellow travellers. We have picked up many great tips from recommendations received during the 3 hours of very enjoyable conversations.
Realising we would probably need to book as it appeared to be a really popular destination for Sunday Lunch, we booked ourselves in for the 2.30 sitting.
It all felt quite an adventure as we are still learning lots about this beautiful part of the world. Lanes narrowed, hedges got higher and through the farm gates, the rolling green hills of Devon appeared and finally the church spire that is such a landmark in the spectacular village of South Pool. It is a beautiful quintessential Devon village. At the end of a Salcombe creek, the thatches and rendered walls draw you into the heart .... and there discretely sits The Millbrook Inn.
We loved it and have now visited many times, and yes of course, lunch is always on the agenda. The Millbrook Inn has won many awards for its food, 2 this year! No surprise, it's amazing. We love arriving for Sunday Lunch in the winter. As you enter the pub there is a lovely buzz of chatting, open roaring fire and warm lighting. I imagine it is very much like it has always been and really feels as if it's existence is for the locals. Everyone sits down at 2.30 for the famous Sunday lunch. Each table is served a huge plate of two set roast meats, all local and all superbly cooked, accompanied with all the roast trimmings. It's relaxed, intimate and fun. As you linger over lunch (oblivious to the weather) and then of course the pudding, the singer or band arrive. It is more often or not jazz and the pub takes on a different mood.
Summer is just as delightful. South facing tables outside at the back of the Millbrook Inn attract many people seeking leisurely time in the sun and grab the opportunity to enjoy the ala carte menu. The mussels being a popular option (local of course). People with newspapers, dogs, children, young lively teenagers create a buzz alongside the babbling brook where water boatmen and dragon flies dart over the water.
Like many villages they no longer have a village shop. No problem at the Millbrook. there is a Veg Shed (fridge) outside where the pub sells the locals produce when there is an abundance. How collaborative and enterprising is that!
People are coming and going all the time, the warm welcoming is consistent. We drag ourselves away but even this is enjoyable as we take a walk over the bridge, watch the ducks, check the tide, and jump over the stepping stones of the ford.
Do look at their great website where you can even find The Millbrook Blog which keeps us up to dates with what they are cooking daily and even tide times so if you want approach by water you can! This is a very cool website for a pub!
Southpool, at the end of the road and up the creek, is a must visit destination.
