The Poltimore Inn

The Poltimore Inn is a pub, restaurant and accommodation business in the village of North Molton, Devon, England, on the edge of Exmoor. It presents itself as a community hub offering food, drink and lodging, and is known locally as the gateway to Exmoor. The business is privately owned and operated, with Alan Boddington acquiring the then-derelict property in October 2012 and leading its restoration. The inn's offer centres on a full seven-days-a-week pub open all day, a restaurant with views over the North Devon countryside seating up to 60 people, a south-facing beer garden with sculptures, and accommodation that includes bed and breakfast rooms, Poltimore Lodges and glamping. It also hosts events and has an observatory used for stargazing. Food is cooked in house, with breads, cakes and desserts made in its kitchens and ingredients sourced from local suppliers wherever possible. The Poltimore Inn has received a Gold Award from Taste of the West. The modern history of the Poltimore Inn is one of revival. When the current owner took it over from a large pub chain, the building had been boarded up for over a year and was in poor condition inside and out. Planning permission was granted in January 2013 and renovations took ten months and significant investment. Exterior buildings including a steel-roofed skittle alley were demolished, while parts of the old building were retained to preserve character. The result is a restored interior that keeps much of the old building's character while adding modern facilities. Today the Poltimore Inn operates as a small independent hospitality business rather than part of a large group. Its positioning is affordable, locally sourced, family-welcoming food and drink in a warm and friendly atmosphere, supported by real ales and wines. It takes bookings for tables, events, rooms and lodges, and can cater for group bookings and event catering.

The Poltimore Inn is a pub in North Molton, Devon, England, on the edge of Exmoor. Its modern history begins with its acquisition by Alan Boddington in October 2012 from a large pub chain. At that time the building had stood boarded up for over a year, creating an eyesore in North Molton, and its interior and exterior condition was poor. Alan Boddington saw potential in its central village location, the strong local community and the views to the rear over rolling North Devon countryside. Negotiations were protracted and complicated, but the deal was completed and planning permission was granted in January 2013, allowing renovations to progress. The restoration took a full ten months and a significant investment. Very little of the original interior could be saved. Exterior buildings, including a steel-roofed skittle alley, were demolished, while parts of the old building that could be saved were retained to keep as much character as possible. The end result was a restored interior that maintained much of the old building's character while adding modern facilities. Following the restoration, the Poltimore Inn reopened as a thriving pub. It operates seven days a week, open all day Monday to Sunday. The business expanded its offer beyond a traditional pub to include a restaurant with views over the Devon countryside seating up to 60 people, a south-facing beer garden with sculptures, bed and breakfast accommodation, Poltimore Lodges, glamping, and an observatory for stargazing and events. It also provides event catering and group bookings. The inn emphasises in-house cooking and local sourcing. Breads, cakes and desserts are made in its kitchens, and food is sourced from local suppliers wherever possible. It has been recognised with a Gold Award from Taste of the West. The Poltimore Inn describes itself as more than just a pub, positioning itself as a community hub where customers from far and near are welcomed.

• 2013

  Planning permission granted, allowing renovation work to progress.

• 2013

  Ten-month restoration completed, with exterior buildings including the steel-roofed skittle alley demolished and character features retained.

• 2012

  Alan Boddington buys the derelict Poltimore Inn from a large pub chain.

• The Poltimore Inn receives a Gold Award from Taste of the West.

Affordable, locally sourced food and drink in a warm, family-friendly community pub setting on the edge of Exmoor.

• Pub food

  In-house cooked food with breads, cakes and desserts made in the kitchens and ingredients sourced from local suppliers where possible.

• Real ales and wines

  Local real ales and wines served alongside the food menu.

• Bed & Breakfast accommodation

  Bed and breakfast rooms available at the inn.

• Poltimore Lodges

  Self-catering lodge accommodation offered by the inn.

• Glamping

  Glamping accommodation for groups and individual guests.

• The Observatory

  An observatory used for stargazing and events.

1. 1North Molton Pub and Restaurant in North Devon at the Poltimore Innthepoltimoreinnnorthmolton.co.uk
2. 2Retaining the Character of an Exmoor Pub, the Poltimore Innthepoltimoreinnnorthmolton.co.uk
3. 3The Poltimore Innwikidata.org