Who doesn’t love going out for a Sunday roast? It’s one of the great British staples and done right it’s all you need for the day, your belly filled with hale and hearty food. It’s even better when the meat and veg are all local – like at The Martlet Inn at Langford Budville, within walking distance of some of the Sleeps12 luxury group holiday houses in Somerset. This Sunday they’ll be serving lamb that’s been raised and grazed in the fields just down in the valley by Sleeps12 owners Jessica and Ashley Vellacott.

The Martlet Inn stands at the heart of the peaceful village of Langford Budville, nestled nicely in the hills a few miles from Wellington. Down in the valley the River Tone babbles merrily along just as it has in this quiet corner of Somerset for centuries. Oh, it’s lovely round here, winding country lanes, verdant green pastures, rich woodlands, it feels like all is well, it feels sequestered and it makes you want to hang around. At the heart of the village is The Martlet Inn.

A Proper Country Pub

Key to running a successful country pub is a warm welcome, and that’s certainly what you’ll get at The Martlet. You might be popping in for a quick pint, you could be calling in for a relaxed pub lunch with friends, or there could be a big group of you coming for a special occasion; whether you’re local, new to the area, or staying at one of the group holiday cottages it’s all the same to owners Jaz and John. You’ll be greeted with a smile.

This is a pub with no pretensions, no fuss, no frills; it’s a proper country pub with plenty of down-to-earth goodness and excellent food and drink. There’s all that timeless village pub character, low beams, soft lamplight, and in the winter, a log fire blazing away to warm your cockles. When the sun’s out to play, there’s no better place than beneath the parasols in the courtyard.

A Love for Local Food

Jaz and John are very, very passionate about local food. And why wouldn’t you be when you’ve got the fertile Somerset soils all around? There are good things going on here - animals grazed in lush pastures, game grown fat in the woodlands, fruit ripened by the sunshine in mellow orchards, and wherever possible, vegetables grown in the fields. Jaz and John have been out there, seen it all and tried it for themselves; they’ve met the people behind the scenes and chatted about what they do. So, the produce and ingredients they use at The Martlet are all carefully selected and put to their best use on menus that naturally, change with the seasons.
Some things couldn’t get more local - like the pork from their own pigs, eggs from a farm in the village, pheasant from a local shoot, and organic Dexter beef from another farm just a few miles away. Chicken comes from the butcher in Wellington, and the most heavenly ice cream, made using local milk and fruit, is from a village just over the border in Devon.

What’s On the Menu?

It follows that the landlords’ passion for good food is shared by the chefs who work at the Martlet. The team in the kitchen are a talented bunch who understand what works with what, what flavours marry well, what brings out the best taste in everything. They aren’t afraid to try new dishes so there’ll be modern fare alongside the hearty and traditional.

Whatever your tastes, whatever the diet you follow, you’ll find something on the menu that gets your taste buds going.

For Those Who Like Meat

Classic Martlet Burger - flame-grilled 6oz beef patty with melted onions, melted cheese, American mustard, ketchup and gherkins
12oz Rump Steak - with grilled tomatoes, baked flat mushrooms, chunky chips and a choice of blue cheese or peppercorn sauce
Slow-Roasted Pork Belly - with egg fried rice, roasted peach, bok choi & a sweet and tangy bourbon sauce
Honey and Mustard Ham Salad - honey and mustard-glazed ham with salad, slaw and fries

From the Sea
There’s fish too, caught in the waters of Lyme Bay, or from the famous Brixham fish markets in Devon:

Otter Bitter Battered Haddock and Chips - battered fillet of haddock with chunky chips, peas and tartar sauce
Pan-Fried Monkfish - wrapped in Parma ham, with fondant potatoes, asparagus, peas and broad beans with a lemon and chive velouté
And For the No-Meat Eaters
Vegetarians and vegans aren’t forgotten with temptations like:
Spring Green Risotto - with salsa Verde and parmesan crisps
Homity Pie - open-topped pastry pie filled with potato, red onion, cheese and leek, with seasonal vegetables and gravy
Moving Mountains Plant Burger - 100% plant burger topped with lettuce, tomato, vegan mayo and smoked tomato relish

And of course, a cracking Sunday roast featuring the best of local chicken, beef, pork and lamb. This Sunday, May 24th , they’ll be serving up lamb that’s been raised to top standards by Jessica and Ashley Vellacott only a couple of miles away on their family farm. If you’re staying at Ham Bottom or Fuzzy Orchard, you’ll see their lambs contentedly grazing in the fields, fattened to perfection on the rich grass.

And What’s to Drink?

The bar at The Martlet is always very well stocked; there are locally brewed real ales on draught, like Otter Ale from the Blackdown Hills, Jail Ale and Dragon's Breath from Dartmoor National Park. And that good old West Country drink – cider, on tap and bottled, from Sandford Orchards.
The wine list is carefully curated to par with the seasonal menus, and if you’re in the mood, slip into cocktail hour with classic and the contemporary mixes. If alcohol isn’t your thing, take your pick from a selection of fizzies and fruit juices.

Events at The Martlett

Jaz and John love nothing more than to see people coming together to enjoy the good times; delicious food with friends and family, and special events like live music, pub quizzes, karaoke nights, seasonal celebrations and special food evenings. There’s always a great atmosphere and it sometimes gets quite lively, just as it should when people gather together, relaxed and happy; it’s the kind of thing that matters in life. If you’re staying at a Sleeps12 group holiday house nearby, go and join in the shenanigans, kick back, enjoy yourselves.
Whether you want good food, a pint slowly sipped in the sunshine or by the fire, or just to soak up the warmth and conviviality of a welcoming village pub, if you’re in the area, you should go to The Martlet. It’s where it’s at, it’s all good, and that Sunday roast is a cracker.

Images from website https://www.themartletinn.co.uk/

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