Where to Eat - William Sitwell's The White Hart, Wiveliscombe

Jane
1 day ago
3 min read

The White Hart, a beloved 17th century former coaching inn in Wiveliscombe, has been taken over and revived under the stewardship of none other than William Sitwell, food critic, MasterChef UK presenter and The Telegraph's esteemed restaurant reviewer. Together with chef Dom Hewitt and owners John and Millie Coward, the team is bringing delicious Italian food, wine and hospitality to a beautiful town in Exmoor National Park.

We were keen to try the restaurant for ourselves and after an easy 30-minute drive from Woodleigh Cottage, Dulverton, we were warmly welcomed by William himself, decked out in a smart green apron and ready to take our order for two gin and tonics. We relaxed in the comfortable and warmly decorated lounge area in front of the log burner, underneath an impressive chandelier crown of antlers, whilst waiting for our table.

The White Hart Italian Menu

Taking our places at 9.00pm on a Saturday night (the only reservation available 10 days in advance), we enjoyed the lively ambience in the dining room full of happy guests.

We started with burrata, blood orange & radicchio which was incredibly fresh and full of flavour and zucchini fritti - both a great success.

Burrata, blood orange & radicchio starter - £12

For our main courses, we chose meatballs, ricotta and garlic bread, which was well very received and beef ragu pappardelle, a little drier than I normally like, but the team were happy to bring me some additional sauce without any fuss. We also had very good roast potatoes and wilted spinach with parmesan.

Beef Ragu pappardelle - two sizes available £10/18

Meatballs, ricotta and garlic bread main course £24

With two glasses of red wine, the meal was a great success and as we had a late booking and we were already very full, we left trialling the puddings to another visit. If you want to see the full range of dishes on offer take a look at The White Hart Wiveliscombe Menu.

It offers an Exmoor venison cut and a fish of the day option too which both sounded delicious.

Why Stay at Woodleigh Cottage?

If you're planning a foodie break to Exmoor, Woodleigh Cottage couldn't be better positioned. Located right in the centre of Dulverton, you're within easy walking distance of the renowned Woods Bar and Restaurant, The Bridge Inn and Tongdam Thai,

If you are happy to make the drive, then travelling 30-minutes to The White Hart in Wiveliscombe is a good choice. You'll see for yourself how William Sitwell and his team are transforming what was a slightly tired venue into a thriving and authentic hub that celebrates British produce, local suppliers, and the art of straightforward, tasty Italian cooking - all with an Exmoor vibe!

If you don't want to try the restaurant, then there is also a great bar with everything you could wish for on-site for a relaxing, or reviving, drink.

Whether you're a long-time fan of Sitwell's writing and television work, or simply someone who appreciates excellent food in a warm, welcoming setting, The White Hart is worth a visit.

We are so pleased to have somewhere new to bring our friends and family when they come to visit and we wish the team great success.

If you want to follow William and his team's very honest journey in resurrecting The White Hart, then subscribe to @thewhitehartwivey on Instagram and Sitwell's Restaurant channel on YouTube.

Book Your Culinary Escape

Dulverton has always been more than just a gateway to Exmoor – it's a destination in its own right, perfectly placed within the perfect countryside and characterful pubs and restaurants of the area.

And with Woodleigh Cottage offering comfortable, characterful accommodation right in the heart of town, you have everything you need for a memorable stay.

Why not start planning your visit? Dulverton and Exmoor's food scene is waiting to be discovered – and now there's one more excellent reason to book your stay at Woodleigh Cottage.