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The Who'd Have Thought It Inn

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A 16th-century English inn and restaurant in the Dartmoor village of Milton Combe, Devon, offering food, drink and accommodation.

Last updated September 29, 2026

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Overview

The Who'd Have Thought It Inn, affectionately known as "The Whody", is a quintessential English inn, bar, restaurant and accommodation provider in the picturesque Dartmoor village of Milton Combe, Devon, England. According to its official website, the inn dates back to the 1500s and has long been established as a local favourite, prized for the charm and character it offers in abundance. It is run by Matthew and Hayleigh, who welcome guests alongside their staff. The inn operates as a combined pub, restaurant and small hotel. Its public areas include a bar and restaurant, and it also offers accommodation for visitors to the area. Food service hours are listed as Monday to Thursday 12–3pm and 6–10pm, with food served 12–2.15pm and 6–8.30pm, while Friday to Sunday the inn is open all day for food and drink. The telephone contact number published on the website is 01822 853313, and the postal address is given as The Who'd Have Thought It Inn, Devon PL20 6HP. The name of the inn is tied to a local legend recounted on its website. In the 16th century, the resident of what is now the pub decided to apply for a licence to sell alcohol. His fellow villagers were unconvinced that he would be granted the licence, and for a while he was the talk of the village for his crazy idea. Shortly afterwards he received a letter from the authorities acknowledging his application — and, far more importantly, shortly after that, the licence was granted. The villagers' surprise is said to have given the inn its distinctive name. Over the years the pub has moved with the times. Although it retains a lot of its original features, sympathetic improvements have been made, making the pub a favourite with visitors to the area as well as locals. It sits in the heart of the Devon countryside, nestled in the Dartmoor village of Milton Combe, and positions itself as a unique, little pub offering traditional hospitality. As a small independent hospitality business, The Who'd Have Thought It Inn does not disclose corporate ownership, group affiliation or listing status in the available evidence. It is best understood as a single-site, owner-operated country inn and restaurant serving the Milton Combe area and visitors to Dartmoor.

History

The Who'd Have Thought It Inn is a historic English pub and inn in the Dartmoor village of Milton Combe, Devon. Its official website states that the building dates back to the 1500s, making it a centuries-old feature of the village. The inn's unusual name is explained by a local story: in the 16th century, the resident of what is now the pub decided to apply for a licence to sell alcohol. His fellow villagers were unconvinced that he would be granted the licence, and for a while he was the talk of the village for his crazy idea. Shortly afterwards he received a letter from the authorities acknowledging his application and, far more importantly, shortly after that the licence was granted. The villagers' surprise at the outcome is said to have inspired the name "The Who'd Have Thought It". Over the centuries the inn became established as a local favourite, known for the charm and character it offers in abundance. In more recent times the pub has moved with the times: although it retains a lot of its original features, sympathetic improvements have been made, making the pub a favourite with visitors to the area as well as with local people. The website describes it as a unique, little pub in the heart of the Devon countryside, run by Matthew and Hayleigh with their staff, who welcome guests to the quintessential English inn. As of the available evidence, the inn operates as a bar, restaurant and accommodation provider. Its listed opening hours are Monday to Thursday 12–3pm and 6–10pm, with food served 12–2.15pm and 6–8.30pm, and Friday to Sunday open all day for food and drink. The contact telephone number is 01822 853313 and the address is given as The Who'd Have Thought It Inn, Devon PL20 6HP. No corporate parent, group ownership or listing status is disclosed in the available sources.

  • The building that is now the inn dates back to the 1500s, according to the official website.

  • In the 16th century, the resident of what is now the pub applied for a licence to sell alcohol; villagers doubted he would succeed, and the licence was granted shortly after, inspiring the inn's name.

  • Over the years the pub made sympathetic improvements while retaining many original features, becoming a favourite with visitors to the area.

Products and positioning

A quintessential English inn and local favourite in the Dartmoor village of Milton Combe, offering food, drink and accommodation with historic charm and character.

  • Bar and restaurant service

  • Food served Monday–Thursday 12–2.15pm and 6–8.30pm; Friday–Sunday all day

  • Accommodation

Sources2 sources

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