The Drewe Arms, Drewsteignton, Devon

I have just finished reading the most recent Issue 68/Summer 2025 of the CAMRA BEER magazine, which has an article concerning 6 public houses that they have given Heritage Awards to, particularly acknowledging the efforts of those who have saved or revitalised these historic pubs. It's pretty difficult to get to read CAMRA (website) stuff, if not a member, so I am adding this link to the local paper, the Crediton Courier, that provides similar content regarding the only 1 of the 6 that I have been to, as far as my memory tells me. Indeed, yes, only 1! 😕

These 2 images of the pub in question. the Drewe Arms (website) and church next door, Holy Trinity (North Dartmoor Parishes), are both from Holiday in Dartmoor, many thanks to them, much appreciated. Because it is ages since I've visited this part of Dartmoor, probably not since the 1980s, that I do not have my own digital photographs of the pub and village. And you will presume from what I have written so far that this pub, actual address The Square, Drewsteignton EX6 6QN, is on Dartmoor, indeed, near to the north-eastern edge.

The building that became the Drewe Arms was built in the 17th century, with refurbishments in the 19th and 20th centuries and, unsurprisingly, is Grade II Listed. In the 19th century it was called the New Inn, presumably there used to be another inn locally, or it replaced a previous pub following refurbishment. It became the Drewe Arms a hundred years ago, after a brief spell as the Druid Arms. When I first visited in the late 1970s, Mabel Mudge was the licensee, having been so since 1919, first with her husband for 32 years until he passed away, then alone for another 43 years until she retired in 1994 aged 99 years old, and being the longest serving landlady in the country (75 years!), much respect to her. 

The pub, as far as I'm aware, has been sympathetically kept. From 1994 it was managed by a few companies until the local community bought this wonderful old pub in 2023, and now manage the Drewe Arms as a community asset, hence the Heritage Award, nice one. 👍

Having seen images of the interior, it looks to have the same feel, a room to your left as you enter, the bar and cellar behind a doorway to your left just afterwards, with a stable door and small 'surface' on which to deposit your glass, pleasantly basic. 😁 I remember Mabel well, indeed, you could hardly forget her, or the atmosphere of this friendly warm wee pub, and I visited at different times of the year when I lived in Devon. This is so much an addition to places to return to, with hearty congratulations to the local folk who have kept this going, cheers m'dears! 🍺