The Cott Inn

A lovely lunch on a Monday with friends. I had the brie wellington and it was delicious. The interior is cosy and warm, with a nice buzz and good service. There was a good no-alcohol wheat beer. Large wooden tables and open beams. The gardens are attractive even in winter.

I booked a table for two for Sunday lunch in the main pub several days in advance and confirmed by email as requested but when we arrived were ushered into a large marquee. I protested but was told that this was an ''overflow facility'' yet whenI went into the pub itself there were several empty tables set for lunch. This is very poor. Every inch of the pub floor was crammed with tables and diners so it would not have been that pleasant anyway but certainy better than the marquee. We were seated in the corner and the awning was torn in several places so as it was a cold wet windy day we were subjected to frequent icy blasts. I ordered the roast beef and it came within seconds which made I think it had been sliced previously and warmed over. It was sliced wafer thin, very soft and bland and virtually tasteless. Soggy Yorkshire, average vegetables and generic gloopy gravy. It reminded me of that roast beef you get in a TV dinner. I went on the basis of this pub having just been awarded the UK's Pub of the Year 2024. I cannot imagine how.

We have come to think of a meal at the Cott as a special experience in recent years. My elderly Mum and I were really looking forward to our visit on my last evening staying with her in Devon. We both chose the burger since the lamb roast was not available. When it arrived it all looked very impressive. However, Mum and I both found the burgers completely tasteless and mine contained several bits of gristle. In addition the bacon was fatty (not in a good crisped up way) and the Monterey Jack cheese tasteless We were both surprised and disappointed although I found myself questioning our judgement since the reviews are generally so good, and our previous experience excellent. However, we both noticed this independently - we had not discussed the food during the meal apart from to comment that there was a lot of it!. When outrwaitress asked how we had enjoyed the food we politely mentioned the lack of taste. Her response was to tell us how much other people love the burgers -which left us feeling like we had just got it wrong and that our opinion didn't really count! Either we've both lost our sense of taste (we haven't) or the Cott had a different, and less talented chef on yesterday. Not sure the waitresses response was entirely appropriate either.