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North Tawton
Copper Key Inn

In the ancient village of North Tawton, surrounded by gorgeous mid-Devon countryside sits the Copper Key Inn. 'I'd like to think we offer something for everyone,' says owner Martin Hann. And he and co-owner Bernice work exceptionally hard to make sure they provide exactly that.

The pub dates back to the 16th-Century, with a thatched roof, hanging baskets and large garden outside, and has an assortment of beamed rooms with open fires inside. There are two pool tables, a children's room, games room, darts, cricket and skittles teams and local and visiting musicians.

The extensive menu certainly lives up to Martin's wishes. Produce is locally sourced, with fish from Brixham and meat from surrounding farms. Local real ales are on tap and they occasionally host a beer festival, which proves very popular with regulars and visitors alike. In the small and intimate restaurant, the true carnivore can order a 32oz rump steak, but vegetarians also have a choice of at least four dishes, such as the Tuscan vegetable tart.

On the night of our visit we were both in a carnivorous mood, and opted for steaks, which Bernice described as their 'speciality'. I could not resist the Tournedos Rossini, a thick, melting 8oz fillet of beef topped with a slice of duck pate, surrounded by a rich Madeira sauce with tiny button mushrooms.

My partner went for a 6oz fillet, which arrived with a generous array of new potatoes, mushrooms, onion rings, grilled tomato and salad.

For dessert I opted for a wonderful Devonshire Farmhouse raspberry, mango and champagne sorbet and my partner for a decadent treacle tart with clotted cream. Finally, a Cafétiere of rich coffee was the perfect option to see us walk satisfied and contented into the night.

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