The Queen Victoria

Nestled deep in the Mendip Hills, Priddy is a small and unassuming village, yet one brimming with historical interest. With its fantastic surrounding countryside, this area is a magnet for walkers, families and cavers who visit for the famous Swildon's Hole, the longest cave in the Mendip Hills.

The Queen Victoria began its life as a pub in the late 1800s, as just one small room serving beverages to the local community. Although the pub is much larger now, the original intimate atmosphere remains. The menus change frequently to incorporate local and seasonal produce, whilst also featuring some fond favourites, such as the Priddy beef burger and a popular Sunday roast. My companion and I decided to sample some of their most popular dishes; he chose the Butcombe ale pie and I the fisherman's pie, featuring chunks of salmon, cod, haddock and prawns beneath a mash and Cheddar topping. The quality of the produce was evident from the first bite. Our meals were perfectly accompanied by a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc and, of course, a pint of Butcombe. Serving real ales and real food beside real fires, this is one of the best traditional pubs around. Summer Open: Mon-Sat noon-11pm; Sun noon-10.30pm Food Served: Mon-Sat noon-9p