We love a good boozer in Bristol, but it appears none are quite good enough for The Good Food Guide’s ‘100 Best Pubs 2025’. So what sets these drinking holes apart from ours? Taking a closer look at the 12th-place Somerset pub, the Barrington Boar, which is just an hour away, quite a lot it seems.
The Guide has been on the hunt for the very best dining pubs across the country (which means there’s no room for the Kings Head or Bag of Nails)—“where brilliant cooking is paired with the spirit of a proper pub.” The kinds of pubs you can stop by for an ale after an autumn walk, or a high-quality, seasonal meal for any occasion.
The Barrington Boar, near Ilminster, offers all that and more. With the husband-and-wife team of Alasdair Clifford and Victoria Collins taking over in 2018, they have found the perfect blend of a traditional and modern boozer-cum-restaurant. It was even added to the MICHELIN Guide in 2023, and for good reason.
Tuck into a menu of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients from the farmers and foragers living within a few miles of Barrington—from a slow-cooked lamb belly shepherd’s pie to a wild mushroom and soy tartlet. Think local ingredients, traditional cooking, but with a subtle twist.
The bar itself is also fully stocked with South West drinks, like local ales, ciders and craft beers, as well as local gins and English sparkling wines. And, so you don’t come all this way without enjoying a drink or two, The Barrington Boar boasts four beautiful B&B rooms overlooking the garden. And don’t skip the pastries in the morning from its very own bakery.
How do I get there?
You can get to Barrington in just over an hour by car by driving down the M5 towards Taunton and turning off at the A358, which will take you to your destination. Alternatively, you can also take a train from Bristol Temple Meads to Taunton and hop on the 10C bus, which stops right outside the Boar.
What’s there to do in Barrington?
A tiny village, there’s not tonnes to do in Barrington. But the star attraction (beyond the Boar, of course) has to be Barrington Court. The National Trust site, a 15-minute walk from the pub, is described as “a patchwork of different spaces.” The Tudor Estate holds several apple orchards, wild meadows, and acres of parkland, as well as a tennis court and cricket pitch.
To learn more about The Barrington Boar head here.