Union Inn, Plympton

A “hub” village pub with a big community emphasis run for the past twelve years by Pete and Christine Sandbach with their son David. Pete travels the UK seeking out new beers for what he terms his hobby and his livelihood – “there’s a real ale for every palate and you will have a lot of fun finding the one for yours” – Sadler’s Red IPA on a What Pub visit, though the pub also supports local and regional ales including those of Exeter, Summerskills, Teignworthy and Tintagel.

But he is no slouch on the cider front, served on gravity; in 2017 the Union was runner-up in Plymouth Cider and Perry Pub of the Year competition, and was a previous outright winner; Old Rosie is popular but there are sometimes “oddities from Hereford and Worcester.”

Traditional pub games on Thursdays include shove ha’penny and table skittles; the pub supports local charities, currently one helping ex-servicemen build their own homes.

This attractive two-bar hostelry has wood burning stoves in both bars, one set in a massive fireplace with blocks believed to be from a local priory. Though thought to be early 19th century, a beam in the lounge bar is inscribed circa 1705.