The Castlebrook Inn - South Somerset

We have been to this pub multiple times now and have been impressed every time. The beer garden is lovely for the summer and the Christmas meal we had was fantastic. The staff is always friendly, and the food is consistently high quality with generous portions at good value. I will definitely be going back!

Sticky, dirty and smelly place. It’s off putting the minute you walk through the squalid bar. We were so hungry so ordered thinking the food would be good. Omgoodness it was, without doubt THE WORST meal we have ever been served anywhere and we eat out most nights due to our busy lifestyle. If Wetherspoons is a 4/10 this place is a -1/10 !!

We were convinced by locals to revisit this pub as it has apparently changed management and improved. (We were delighted by this news and popped along on Thursday for their steak night). From our very recent experience it is still sadly sub standard and awful food. Very disappointing. The ribs tasted off, the chicken must be washed in bleach as it’s very chemically, chips are not nice at all, my son had a tough as old boots mixed grill with no chips as advertised on menu (didn’t matter they are not worth bothering with so didn’t complain) husband said the chilli was ok if a little bland but just about edible apart from the rice. Their coleslaw is homemade style and very nice indeed. Drinks glasses were dirty (lipstick and tiny black marks). Table was super sticky and cutlery not exactly spotless. The bar was loud and busy, it’s a (working man’s) drinkers pub clearly, we love dogs but almost tripped over a canine gathering whilst trying to navigate to the back restaurant. It’s very cheap and service was “microwave quick” so on that basis it should serve many well.

Unfortunately we had a bad experience at what seems to be a popular pub. We booked for a carvery, but it was served cold. I assume the appliances were turned down low after the big rush. Not even the plates were warm. We mentioned this and got an apology. Then we had limited pudding choice as they’d ran out of most items. We then had trouble paying as the till roll ran out and they could no longer accept cards, so had to fumble for cash. Not the best experience, and not one we would be likely risk repeating, which is a shame as we drive past this place weekly.

Wow!!! What can I say...what an absolute gem of a pub. Visited 3 times whilst staying in a lovely little shepherds hut in Compton Dundon. Amazing menu, beautifully cooked food and I can honestly say we have never felt so welcome in a pub ever. Rowena and Terri made both my husband and and I feel so welcome and made a huge fuss of our dog...the saying arrive as strangers and leave as friends could not have been more true. Thank you to all the staff and locals for making us feel so welcome and making our weekend away so special x