The Wookey Hole Inn

Head out towards Wookey Hole village and you'll find this proper stone-built inn sitting pretty near the mouth of the gorge. It's the kind of place where locals actually drink, not just somewhere tourists stumble into between cave visits—though you'll see plenty of both. The bar has that comfortable, lived-in feel: exposed beams, fireplaces that actually get used, and the sort of crowd who know the bar staff by name. Food-wise, it's traditional pub fare done without pretension, and they take their real ales seriously. It's the sort of spot where you can properly settle in for an afternoon or evening without feeling like you need to dress up or rush through.