A very special experience awaits you at the Farmers Arms in Woolsery. They use own-grown and locally sourced ingredients, prepared with care, to deliver diners an amazing menu.

Why it’s on my list

I was looking for somewhere a little special to celebrate my birthday and after a little thought it had to be The Farmers Arms. I had heard great things from friends, and they’ve won praise from the Trencherman’s Awards, the Good Food Guide, and their accommodation has earned a Michelin ‘key’. I knew that the vibe would be just what I was after – a relaxed atmosphere with quality food. The perfect new venue for a special occasion.

Restaurant Information

Website: woolsery.com/thecollective/the-farmers-arms

Location: The Farmers Arms, Woolfardisworthy (Woolsery), near Bideford, EX39 5QS

Type: gastropub

Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 12pm – 2pm and 5.45pm-8pm, and Sunday lunch from 12pm-3.30pm 

To book: call 01237 439328 or email farmers.arms@woolsery.com 

Overall verdict

They describe themselves as a ‘reimagined pub’ and The Farmers Arms is certainly that. I was so impressed by everything – the food (obviously), the service, the decor. And going back to the food – they are really serious about sourcing locally. As well as growing many of their own vegetables and rearing their own animals on their farm, they also forage for tasty bits along the North Devon coast. All in all, this met the brief of being a very special place for a birthday dinner.

What I had

Not ones to let the alcohol drinkers have all the fun, they’ve gone to the effort of making their own syrups and cordials for a tasty and refreshing non-alcoholic drink. We both went for cordial.

To start, my husband and I both went for the seasonal soup, which was curried parsnip. It came with some big chunks of sourdough bread to share – a great start to the meal. 

For our main course I had the Birch Farm Ham and Leek Pie, which came with a side of tarragon mashed potato. I love tarragon, so it was actually the mash that made me choose this one, not the pie (although it was delicious too!). There were really chunky bits of ham in the pie, the pastry was cooked beautifully, and it was piping hot.

My husband had the short rib of beef, which came with bone marrow mash and some creamy looking leeks. He let me have a nibble and it was delicious, the meat fell right off the bone.

We also got some greens with seaweed and herb butter as a side dish, which were very tasty.

Lastly, for dessert we decided to share something because we were pretty stuffed! We chose the baked chocolate pudding with hazelnut, sorrel and thyme. This came out hot and like a melt-in-the-middle style pudding, but because it was in the dip of the bowl all the hot gooey stuff stayed neatly in the middle. Ideal for easy scooping up!

The best

This is really difficult because everything was so so good. I loved the tarragon mash as I thought I would, and the herbs they put with that added a tasty and interesting dimension. The pie was great as well. My husband would definitely say that the short rib was the best, and I would probably agree if I had eaten the whole thing. It’s been a little while since we went and he still talks about it. The cordials as well were great, and we’re not big drinkers so it felt nice to have something fun to order for once.

If I was absolutely forced to choose one thing that was the very best, I think I would have to pick the gooey, chocolatey dessert. We were so stuffed that we had to share, but part of me wishes I had my own – it was really really good. Light and fluffy, yet rich and deeply chocolatey, what’s not to love.

Not the best

My ham and leek pie was perhaps a little on the salty side? But there’s not much more I can think of really – we had a great time.

The venue

The Farmers Arms is both a cosy pub and high-end restaurant in its decor. We were in a big room that had a big table for a group and lots of smaller tables on the edges. There was a big fireplace, striking artwork and lighting, and the high vaulted ceiling was beautiful. 

We had a little nose at other tables when we popped to the loo (as you do!) and other parts of he building felt more like your traditional pub – darker, low ceilings, decoration that reminds you of the countryside. Rustic wood was used everywhere, making the whole vibe very relaxed. 

We went in the winter so it was dark by the time we rocked up. It would have been nice to see it in the daylight, but they’ve done a great job with the lighting – very atmospheric.

Top tip

Have a good read up about the Farmers Arms before you go and what they’re doing on Birch Farm. All the info about how they produce their food makes you feel so much more connected to what you’re eating. Eating food that is hyper-locally produced with great care feels very special.