The Hood Arms

The Hood Arms is a historic 17th-century coaching inn located in the village of Kilve on the edge of the Quantock Hills in West Somerset, England. The inn is family run and is known for its traditional character, including a roaring fire, flagstone floors and exposed beams. It offers real ales, great food, accommodation and a beer garden, and is a popular stop for visitors exploring the Quantock Hills and the surrounding Somerset countryside. The site has a long history, with an inn recorded there as far back as 1689, the year William and Mary replaced James II as co-monarchs of England. Originally called the Chough & Anchor, it was renamed The Hood Arms by 1832. The original pub sign, featuring the chough and anchor crest of the local Acland-Hood family of St Audries, was retained and is still used today. The classic layout of the inn remains largely unchanged since 1736, and stables were added in 1839 to attract the growing coaching trade along the Nether Stowey to Minehead turnpike. Today, The Hood Arms operates as a pub, restaurant and guest accommodation. It offers rooms with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, king-size Hypnos beds and en-suite bathrooms, including superior rooms with freestanding roll-top baths and garden views. The inn also features a restaurant reservation system and promotes a best rate guaranteed policy for direct bookings. It maintains a strong reputation, with guest reviews highlighting superb food and kind, polite and helpful staff. The Hood Arms is deeply connected to local history, including the smuggling era along the Bristol Channel coast, when brandy and illicit goods were stored in the Chantry behind the inn. It is also associated with literary figures such as Coleridge and Wordsworth, who are said to have enjoyed meals there. The inn continues to serve as a community hub and a destination for travellers seeking a traditional English pub experience.

The Hood Arms has a long, rich history with an inn being recorded on the site as far back as 1689 – the year that William and Mary replaced James II as co-monarchs of England. The inn was originally called the Chough & Anchor but by 1832 it had been renamed The Hood Arms, although the original pub sign was retained and is still used to this day, the chough and anchor being the crest of the local landowners, the Acland-Hood family of St Audries. By the end of the 1830s the pub was flourishing and stables were added in 1839 to attract the growing coaching trade travelling along the Nether Stowey to Minehead turnpike. The classic layout of the Hood Arms remains largely unchanged since 1736 and it is easy to relax by the open fire with a pint of cider or real ale and imagine those times, when Kilve was a centre for smuggling along the Bristol Channel coast – with brandy and illicit goods stored in the Chantry situated behind the Hood Arms in Sea Lane; or you might have shared a tall tale with Coleridge or Wordsworth as they enjoyed a hearty meal in the pub.

• 1839

  Stables are added to attract the growing coaching trade.

• 1832

  The inn is renamed The Hood Arms, retaining the original pub sign.

• 1736

  The classic layout of the inn is established and remains largely unchanged.

• 1689

  An inn is recorded on the site, originally called the Chough & Anchor.

Historic family-run coaching inn offering traditional hospitality, real ales, food and accommodation in a picturesque Somerset village.

• Real ales

• Cider

• Food

• Accommodation

• Beer garden

1. 1The Hood Arms, Bridgwater | HOMEthehoodarms.co.uk
2. 2The Hood Arms, Bridgwater | Historythehoodarms.co.uk
3. 3The Hood Arms, Bridgwater | Staythehoodarms.co.uk
4. 4The Hood Arms - Wikidatawikidata.org