Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1533" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/william-sitwell-Daffodil-PR_Fotor.jpg" alt="William Sitwell" class="wp-image-116290" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/william-sitwell-Daffodil-PR_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/william-sitwell-Daffodil-PR_Fotor-783x800.jpg 783w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/william-sitwell-Daffodil-PR_Fotor-978x1000.jpg 978w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/william-sitwell-Daffodil-PR_Fotor-391x400.jpg 391w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/william-sitwell-Daffodil-PR_Fotor-768x785.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Daffodil PR</figcaption></figure>



<p>William Sitwell, who lives near Wiveliscombe in West Somerset with his wife and two small children, is one of Britain’s leading food writers. A long-standing judge on the hit BBC show <em>MasterChef</em>, restaurant critic and columnist for <em>The Telegraph</em> and the author of a number of internationally best-selling books, he recently took ownership of <a href="https://www.whitehartwivey.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Hart</a> in Wiveliscombe.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1649" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/white-hart-sitwell-1Q1A6176_Fotor.jpg" alt="white hart wiveliscombe, william sitwell" class="wp-image-116289" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/white-hart-sitwell-1Q1A6176_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/white-hart-sitwell-1Q1A6176_Fotor-728x800.jpg 728w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/white-hart-sitwell-1Q1A6176_Fotor-910x1000.jpg 910w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/white-hart-sitwell-1Q1A6176_Fotor-364x400.jpg 364w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/white-hart-sitwell-1Q1A6176_Fotor-768x844.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/white-hart-sitwell-1Q1A6176_Fotor-1397x1536.jpg 1397w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Daffodil PR</figcaption></figure>



<p>With a bar, restaurant with an Italian menu (see what they&#8217;re cooking up <a href="https://www.whitehartwivey.co.uk/menu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>) and 16 rooms, it&#8217;s definitely one to add to your &#8216;to go to&#8217; list.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2251" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-Hart-Wiveliscombe-Sitwell-1Q1A7077.jpg" alt="White Hart Wiveliscombe william Sitwell" class="wp-image-116293" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-Hart-Wiveliscombe-Sitwell-1Q1A7077.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-Hart-Wiveliscombe-Sitwell-1Q1A7077-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-Hart-Wiveliscombe-Sitwell-1Q1A7077-666x1000.jpg 666w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-Hart-Wiveliscombe-Sitwell-1Q1A7077-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-Hart-Wiveliscombe-Sitwell-1Q1A7077-768x1153.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-Hart-Wiveliscombe-Sitwell-1Q1A7077-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-Hart-Wiveliscombe-Sitwell-1Q1A7077-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Daffodil PR</figcaption></figure>



<p>A passionate advocate for local produce, food and drink and the beauty of his part of South West England, here are eight of his favourite places in and around Exmoor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mattancherry-taunton"><a href="https://www.mattancherry.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mattancherry</a>, Taunton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1257" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Mattancherry-dishes-montage.jpg" alt="Mattancherry Taunton, Somerset" class="wp-image-116320" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Mattancherry-dishes-montage.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Mattancherry-dishes-montage-800x670.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Mattancherry-dishes-montage-1000x838.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Mattancherry-dishes-montage-400x335.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Mattancherry-dishes-montage-768x644.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Mattancherry</figcaption></figure>



<p>The best Indian restaurant in the South West. The Keralan menu features a number of freshly cooked, authentic dishes, fabulous dal and a great thali for mid-week lunches.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bear-inn-wiveliscombe"><a href="https://www.thebearwiveliscombe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bear Inn</a>, Wiveliscombe</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="974" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/bear-inn-584123070_1410575671071963_5476378154956597837_n.jpg" alt="bear inn wiveliscombe somerset william sitwell" class="wp-image-116324" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/bear-inn-584123070_1410575671071963_5476378154956597837_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/bear-inn-584123070_1410575671071963_5476378154956597837_n-800x519.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/bear-inn-584123070_1410575671071963_5476378154956597837_n-1000x649.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/bear-inn-584123070_1410575671071963_5476378154956597837_n-400x260.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/bear-inn-584123070_1410575671071963_5476378154956597837_n-768x499.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo The Bear Inn</figcaption></figure>



<p>A great traditional, local boozer, always busy, always fun, with occasional crashingly loud music, ales brewed in the on-site Black Bear Brewery, a regular 3pm Sunday meat auction, is to be seen to be believed, and there’s great, friendly service too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ralegh-s-cross-brendon-hill-near-watchet"><a href="https://raleghs-cross.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ralegh’s Cross</a>, Brendon Hill, near Watchet</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/rayleghs-cross-43B62AC1-AAF6-43EB-BAEF-C3656F66F6C1.jpeg" alt="raylegh's cross exmoor somerset william sitwell" class="wp-image-116352" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/rayleghs-cross-43B62AC1-AAF6-43EB-BAEF-C3656F66F6C1.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/rayleghs-cross-43B62AC1-AAF6-43EB-BAEF-C3656F66F6C1-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/rayleghs-cross-43B62AC1-AAF6-43EB-BAEF-C3656F66F6C1-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/rayleghs-cross-43B62AC1-AAF6-43EB-BAEF-C3656F66F6C1-300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/rayleghs-cross-43B62AC1-AAF6-43EB-BAEF-C3656F66F6C1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/rayleghs-cross-43B62AC1-AAF6-43EB-BAEF-C3656F66F6C1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Ralegh&#8217;s Cross</figcaption></figure>



<p>Need a last-minute table for Sunday lunch for 20 people and a cohort of kids? The all-you-can-pile-on-your-plate carvery can, literally, keep you going ‘til about Wednesday although, with some frightful wines on tap, I wish they’d have a BYO, pay corkage policy, then it would be just a few steps from practical weekend heaven.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bittescombe-inn-upton-near-dulverton"><a href="https://www.thebittescombeinn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bittescombe Inn</a>, Upton, near Dulverton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Bittescombe-inn-Copyright-Credit-Faydit-Photography-Bittescombes-I24-HR-1.jpg" alt="Bittescombe inn Exmoor somerset" class="wp-image-116298" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Bittescombe-inn-Copyright-Credit-Faydit-Photography-Bittescombes-I24-HR-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Bittescombe-inn-Copyright-Credit-Faydit-Photography-Bittescombes-I24-HR-1-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Bittescombe-inn-Copyright-Credit-Faydit-Photography-Bittescombes-I24-HR-1-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Bittescombe-inn-Copyright-Credit-Faydit-Photography-Bittescombes-I24-HR-1-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Bittescombe-inn-Copyright-Credit-Faydit-Photography-Bittescombes-I24-HR-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Faydid Photography</figcaption></figure>



<p>A very stylish pub up on Exmoor offering a fabulous dose of civilisation after a walk on the moor. It’s beautifully designed, with a collection of great paintings, and the rooms are some of the smartest around for miles.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exmoor-ales-tap-room-wiveliscombe"><a href="https://www.exmoorales.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exmoor Ales</a> tap room, Wiveliscombe</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/exmoor-ales-Tap-Room-populated.jpg" alt="exmoor ales' Tap Room wiveliscombe somerset william sitwell" class="wp-image-116321" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/exmoor-ales-Tap-Room-populated.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/exmoor-ales-Tap-Room-populated-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/exmoor-ales-Tap-Room-populated-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/exmoor-ales-Tap-Room-populated-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/exmoor-ales-Tap-Room-populated-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Exmoor Ales</figcaption></figure>



<p>Fancy a piss-up in an actual brewery? Wiveliscombe’s Exmoor Ale brewery serves pints straight from the casks in a simple bar at the front of the brewery. Their famous Exmoor Gold is produced from a business that has been brewing in the town since 1979. You can also try their cider and other bottled drinks such as Exmoor Stag and the mighty 6.6% ABV Exmoor Beast.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-notley-arms-inn-monksilver"><a href="https://www.notleyarmsinn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Notley Arms Inn,</a> Monksilver</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/notley-arms-301625296_504150751713684_1881005434737995697_n.jpg" alt="notley arms somerset william sitwell's favourite places" class="wp-image-116297" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/notley-arms-301625296_504150751713684_1881005434737995697_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/notley-arms-301625296_504150751713684_1881005434737995697_n-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/notley-arms-301625296_504150751713684_1881005434737995697_n-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/notley-arms-301625296_504150751713684_1881005434737995697_n-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/notley-arms-301625296_504150751713684_1881005434737995697_n-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo The Notley Arms Inn</figcaption></figure>



<p>Lovely country pub in the village of Monksilver, does a fabulous Sunday lunch. There’s a nice garden too with a good hedge to keep kids safe from the road and, with a new operator from Sat 4 April, will be a proper pub open for lunch and dinner every day of the week</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-duredon-near-simonsbath"><a href="https://duredon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duredon</a>, near Simonsbath</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/duredon-017.jpeg" alt="duredon exmoor somerset" class="wp-image-116409" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/duredon-017.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/duredon-017-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/duredon-017-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/duredon-017-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/duredon-017-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Duredon</figcaption></figure>



<p>Book this entire place for a long weekend of stately splendour. Duredon is set in the heart of the moor by Simonsbath. You can hire in a private chef and take a decent walk to the local village pub, <a href="https://exmoorforestinn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Exmoor Forest Inn</a>. You can also walk to the historic tin mine of Wheal Eliza or trek across the fields for a dip in the three-acre lake that is Pinkery Pond.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-porlock-bay-oysters-porlock-weir-near-minehead"><a href="https://www.porlockbayoysters.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porlock Bay Oysters</a>, Porlock Weir, near Minehead</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/porlock-bay-oysters-470222968_1006505434827179_413053819977049619_n.jpg" alt="Porlock Bay Oysters" class="wp-image-116410" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/porlock-bay-oysters-470222968_1006505434827179_413053819977049619_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/porlock-bay-oysters-470222968_1006505434827179_413053819977049619_n-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/porlock-bay-oysters-470222968_1006505434827179_413053819977049619_n-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/porlock-bay-oysters-470222968_1006505434827179_413053819977049619_n-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/porlock-bay-oysters-470222968_1006505434827179_413053819977049619_n-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Porlock Bay Oysters</figcaption></figure>



<p>Re-opening after winter on Sat 7 March, the kitchen offers an array of locally sourced oysters, dressed, raw, cooked or un-adorned, as well as a menu of fruits de mer, mussels, delicious puds and a great wine list. And a wander around delightful Porlock Bay is a must!</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/muddy-meets-banjo-and-ro-beale/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muddy Meets: interior designer Banjo Beale </a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/books/interview-alexander-armstrong-author-evenfall-the-tempest-stone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alexander Armstrong on great reads, Richard Osman &amp; his toughest critics</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/my-favourite-places-author-lulu-taylor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">My favourite places: author Lulu Taylor</a></li>
</ul>


My favourite places: William Sitwell

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