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Picture source: Hania Franek

The Trout Inn was situated on Exeter Road. This 16th century grade-II listed pub was closed for 18 months, reopening in August 2012. It has now been closed since January 2018.

I have a few memories of working at the Trout Inn at Bickleigh for two years around 1963. I was only 15 years old at the time but Bill and Vesta Rook, the landlord and landlady, employed me as a general help in the running of the pub. 1963 was a terrible winter in Devon with snow drifts several feet high in places, a milk tanker collecting from local farms was completely covered by a drift with the driver taking residence in the pub until it could be dug out. I did not leave the pub for over 2 weeks as not only was road access very difficult as you had to follow a snow plough to get back to Tiverton. The Brewery wagon managed to get through following a snow plough as it was carrying a much needed large order of Morgans Navy Rum. During the snow period the police suggested we keep the pub open 24 hours a day using it as a meeting point for the local shepherds to take refuge after them spending several hours digging out their flocks even at night. Funny but they all drank Morgans Navy Run and warmed up by the large open wood fire. The snow problem was followed by the inevitable flooding, it was all hands to the pump to erect and secure the flood gates around the pub as the river Exe burst its banks and covered the road alongside the pub with 2 feet of very cold rushing water. The other main memory was the pub had a private stretch of salmon fishing on the Exe. I was allowed access to this and put many fish in the pubs freezed which were then served to the pubs customers and I received a bounty for each fish. This bounty paid for my first motorcycle, a great relief from having to cycle the 5 miles each way to and from work. During the summer I also worked for a thatcher who was replacing the roof of the pub. Great days, great experience and great people.

Peter Temple-Fry (January 2026)

From The Good Pub Guide 1983:

The thatched white road frontage hardly prepares you for the very large lounge bar: subdued lighting from the tassle-shaded lamps, soft music, brown patterned carpet, masses of tables among the square stone pillars which support the extended ceiling, tapestry-cushioned Windsor chairs, modern settles and Second-Empire style button-back easy chairs, and big vases of fresh and dried flowers..An efficient food counter serves filled rolls (from 75p), ploughman's (from £1.50), duck pate (£1.80), salads such as ham (£2.65) and beef (£2.95), a choice of varying hot dishes for £2.95 - say wiener schnitzel, chicken in herb sauce or beef creole - and various puddings and gateaux. Well-kept Bass and Flowers Original on handpump. There are metal and plastic tables and chairs on a lawn by the road, prettily lined with laburnums and flowering shrubs.

Listed building details:

Public house, possibly formerly an inn plus attached houses. Probably C17. Rendered probable cob; wheat reed thatched roof; 2 rear brick lateral stacks. Very long plan cranked slightly at the centre, now altered with some partitions or cross walls removed and rear wall to far right removed to create access to large C20 rear extension; old outshut at rear far left. Exterior: 2 storeys; 7-window range plus 2-window single-storey range on right and 3-bay open-fronted building at far right. Old (probably C19) 12-pane 2-light casements to 3rd windows from left and to 5th ground-floor window from left, otherwise C20 leaded casements with diamond panes. planked doors to centre and towards left; glazed doorway towards right. Interior: has C17 fireplace with bread oven to one room space and a number of chamfered crossbeams.

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Picture source: Hania Franek