The ex-Tarka Inn on Braunton Road will re-open its doors as ‘The Braunton Inn’ on Saturday 21st January (work began the evening of Sunday 15th January) after a £150,000 renovation that includes new fitted seating for extra comfort, a warm and welcoming colour scheme, an external makeover and new signage plus mood enhancing lighting.
Six new jobs have been created (made up of front-of-house and kitchen personnel) as well as the original staff being retained. There is a new and well-equipped bar, along with an area made up of cosy leather sofas and chairs to relax in, plus luxurious soft furnishings have been introduced throughout the pub to make it even more cosy, inviting and upmarket. And the name change is simply to reflect a fresh, new, chapter (new team, new look) in the wonderful history of this fabulous building and location!
Landlord Simon Baskcomb says: “We’re totally revamping the interior to introduce the Vintage Inns premium dining offering (106 internal covers in total) after 5pm, hence the need for more staff. And this means we’ll have a designated dining area within the traditional pub environment - for a more relaxed and refined eating out experience that will set us apart from the normal country pub. The end result is candlelit dinners at beautifully laid tables and an ambience that, whilst remaining informal and welcoming, is also more select and desirable. Full table service means that all food and drink needs can be accommodated at the table when ordering too, plus our guests can now make live bookings online for extra convenience - and peace of mind when it comes to celebrating special occasions.
“The renovations will make a very big difference to the overall mood and ambience – and guests old and new are sure to love it. We’ll have a clean, contemporary look, but it will be a loving and tasteful restoration in keeping with the character of a magnificent old building. The olde worlde charm will still prevail, but we’ll also provide the modern comforts and amenities that guests come to expect. It’s a best of both worlds approach and my message to the good people of Barnstaple and nearby is come and celebrate a fantastic new beginning with us.”
The new-look (and named) Braunton Inn will be the quintessential country pub restaurant in the area where you can enjoy premium dining in a friendly and easy going atmosphere, fine yet affordable wines, plus a full range of expertly kept and regularly changing cask-conditioned ales. Originally called Heanton Court, it was an ancient manor house for distinguished families descended from King Edward IV. During the 19th Century, the great house began to be let out to farmers, its castellated towers making it one of the grandest farmhouses in North Devon. In the 1930's, pleasure flights to Lundy Island would land in the grounds.
Further investment will take place in the spring when the attractive beer garden with stunning views over the Taw estuary is being landscaped and further enhanced with new wicker furniture (197 external covers) to make it an even more ideal spot for warmer weather socialising. Consequently, The Braunton Inn is always on the look-out for quality seasonal staff, so telephone 01271 816547 for details.
