The Halfway House is to get a special award from the Somerset CAMRA branch to recognise the impressive achievement of being listed in the Good Beer Guide for 30 consecutive years.

With its slate floor worn down by generations of drinkers, authentic rustic bar and cosy rooms, with the scent of wood-burning fires and home-cooked food, the Halfway House in Pitney, Somerset is considered a proper local by customers.

Owners Lucie and Mark David said: “We’re delighted to be awarded this incredible 30-year award by CAMRA and thank all the real ale enthusiasts who have nominated us year after year. We’re so proud of our pub and its heritage, and really thanks are due to the previous custodians who have maintained such high standards, ensuring that this local legend retains its widespread appeal as a proper old-fashioned pub serving excellent locally brewed beer, cider and perry.”

The Halfway House – named because it is located midway between Langport and Somerton on the B3513 – will get its award from CAMRA Somerset branch’s Phil Emond at 1pm on Saturday 28 January.

Dating back 150 years when it was originally a cider house, the Halfway House has only belonged to three families in the last 30 years.

Formerly an uninspiring traditional roadside inn, the Halfway House was purchased by real ale enthusiast Julian Litchfield in 1992. Ripping up the threadbare carpets and tired decorations, Julian and his family created a minimalistic chic and down-to-earth pub with flagstone floors, whitewashed walls, large wooden tables and pews, a few comfy sofas and above all, a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

With its focus firmly on serving a wide choice of locally brewed ales, ciders and perry, with simple home-cooked food, the pub eschews any alternative entertainment – no TV, music, electronics, or games rooms.

The welcoming atmosphere is created through conversation with a choice of books, board games, cards, and pub quizzes for entertainment should chat run dry.

Lucie and Mark David, with their daughter Jess and son George (pictured) have recently bought the pub but the family association with it goes back much longer.

“The Halfway has pretty much been a part of my whole life,” said Lucie, whose parents were local farmers who used to take the family there in her youth. The couple were the pub’s managers for the last two years and Lucie has also been the chef for 15 years. When it became available to buy in the summer of 2022, the family jumped at the chance of owning and living at the pub.

The family are determined to maintain the home-run, free house popularity of the pub. Mark said: “This pub is part of our lives – my in-laws Hughie and Greta drank here, my wife has worked here for more than 10 years, and our youngsters grew up helping out in the kitchen and then, when old enough, serving behind the bar. It’s now a family-run affair, and one we’re really proud to be part of.”

While maintaining the pub’s much-loved traditionalism, the family has made some subtle changes inside and out. Lucie has increased the choice and size of portions of the food, with newly popular Sunday lunches followed by roast potatoes and cheese put out on the bar when the kitchen closes. There’s also now a Hut, providing overnight accommodation for up to two people, and an outside heated marquee for events.

Lucie said: “The marquee was put up during Covid, and proved really popular, so we’ve kept it, and it now means we can host larger events outside throughout the year, such as wedding parties, anniversaries and even wakes.

“But above all, we’re maintaining the family-run, welcoming and friendly atmosphere of a proper local – the qualities that have been with us for the last 30 years, and hopefully stay with us for the next 30.”