Balfour Arms

Built in 1938, the Balfour Arms in Sidmouth's Woolbrook area is the only purpose-built pub in the town rather than a converted older building, and it still carries the layout that implies - a separate public bar and lounge bar alongside a restaurant. The pub has three B&B rooms if you want to make a night of it, and a genuinely large beer garden, much of it covered, with its own stage for live bands through the summer and a purpose-built children's play area.

Food is served all day, every day from noon, covering the usual pub classics plus specials, a seniors menu, a special lunch menu, and a supper club that runs Monday to Thursday. It's fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps at the front door and into the skittle alley, and shows live sport for anyone who'd rather watch the match than play skittles. It functions as a genuine community local for Woolbrook rather than a destination pub, which is exactly its appeal.