The Best Ploughman's Lunch in Somerset? Here's What Makes Ours Different

If you're searching for the best Ploughman's lunch in Somerset, a traditional Ploughman's near Burnham-on-Sea, a pub serving Ploughman's near Glastonbury, or simply a proper homemade pub lunch, welcome to the White Horse Inn.

Nestled in the village of Mark, we're a family-run country pub that believes the best food doesn't need to be complicated. It just needs quality ingredients, homemade touches and plenty of care.

Our Ploughman's lunch has quietly become one of our most talked-about dishes. In fact, we've recently welcomed guests who found us after searching online for the best Ploughman's in the area. If that's how you've found us too, we hope you'll discover why so many people return for another.

What Is a Traditional Ploughman's Lunch?

A Ploughman's lunch is one of Britain's most recognisable pub meals.

Traditionally, it combines good bread, mature cheese, pickles and fresh accompaniments. Over the years it has evolved, with many pubs adding local ham, fruit, salad and homemade extras.

Like many classic dishes, the secret isn't adding more ingredients. It's making sure every ingredient deserves to be there.

That's exactly how we approach ours.

Build Your Ploughman's Your Way

Everyone has their favourite combination, so our Ploughman's is available with one, two or three choices from:

• Vintage Barber's Cheddar

• Sliced local roast ham

• Mature Stilton

Whether you prefer a simple cheese Ploughman's or enjoy mixing all three together, you can create the plate that's right for you.

Why We Use Barber's Vintage Cheddar

You can't talk about a proper Somerset Ploughman's without talking about Cheddar.

Barber's has been producing cheese in Somerset since 1833 and remains the oldest surviving Cheddar maker in the world. Their Vintage Reserve Cheddar delivers exactly what you want from a Ploughman's - rich, mature flavour with a satisfying crumbly texture.

As a Somerset pub, it felt only right to choose a cheese with such strong local roots.

Fresh Hobbs House Bakery Bread

Bread is often treated as an afterthought. We think it deserves just as much attention as the cheese.

That's why every Ploughman's is served with fresh bread from Hobbs House Bakery, an award-winning family bakery renowned across the South West for exceptional artisan bread.

Freshly baked bread, proper butter and great local produce make all the difference.

Homemade Coleslaw - A Family Recipe for More Than 30 Years

Nothing arrives in a catering tub. Our coleslaw is made in-house using the same McKenzie family recipe we've been serving for more than three decades.

It's fresh, creamy and balanced, adding a little crunch without overpowering the rest of the plate. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones worth keeping.

House Candied Walnuts & Pecans

One ingredient guests often comment on is our candied walnuts and pecans.

Prepared in-house, they add just enough sweetness to contrast beautifully with the salty richness of mature Cheddar and the bold flavour of Stilton. That combination of sweet, savoury and crunchy helps make every mouthful a little different.

It's a small detail, but one that lifts the whole dish.

The Right Pickle for the Right Cheese

Every Ploughman's deserves the right accompaniment.

Rather than serving the same pickle with every combination, we pair each filling with what suits it best.

• Vintage Barber's Cheddar is served with traditional pickle.

• Local roast ham is paired with classic piccalilli.

• Mature Stilton is matched with rich red onion chutney.

Each pairing has been chosen because it complements the ingredient rather than competing with it.

Fresh Fruit and Homemade Accompaniments

Every Ploughman's also includes:

• Fresh Hobbs House Bakery bread

• Homemade coleslaw

• House candied walnuts and pecans

• Dressed seasonal leaves

• Crisp celery batons

• Cherry tomatoes

• Pickled onions

• Fresh apple

• Fresh pear

It's a colourful, generous plate that's equally suited to a summer lunch in the garden or a relaxed meal inside the pub.

A Homemade Pub Lunch Worth Travelling For

People regularly travel to us from across Somerset for lunch.

We're only a short drive from:

• Burnham-on-Sea

• Highbridge

• Glastonbury

• Street

• Wells

• Wedmore

• Cheddar

• Axbridge

• Bridgwater

• Weston-super-Mare

If you're visiting Cheddar Gorge, exploring Glastonbury, spending the day on Burnham beach or enjoying the Somerset Levels, we're perfectly placed for a traditional country pub lunch.

More Than Just a Ploughman's

Although our Ploughman's has become a favourite, it's just one part of our homemade lunch menu.

You'll also find homemade sandwiches, generous salads, burgers made using our exclusive Aberdeen Angus sirloin and short rib blend, daily specials and seasonal desserts, all prepared by our kitchen team here at the White Horse Inn.

Whether you're joining us for a quick lunch, a family meal or a leisurely afternoon in the garden, you'll find the same focus on homemade food and quality ingredients throughout our menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose more than one filling?

Yes. Our Ploughman's is available with one, two or three choices from Vintage Barber's Cheddar, sliced local roast ham and mature Stilton.

Is everything freshly prepared?

Yes. Your Ploughman's is assembled fresh to order, including our homemade coleslaw and house candied walnuts and pecans.

Do you use local ingredients?

Where possible, yes. We proudly use Barber's Vintage Cheddar from Somerset, Hobbs House Bakery bread and locally roasted ham.

Is your Ploughman's available all year?

Yes. It's available during our lunch service throughout the year.

Looking for the Best Ploughman's Lunch in Somerset?

If you've searched for:

• Best Ploughman's lunch Somerset

• Traditional Ploughman's lunch

• Homemade Ploughman's lunch

• Pub lunch near Burnham-on-Sea

• Ploughman's near Glastonbury

• Lunch near Street

• Lunch near Wells

• Country pub food Somerset

• Best pub lunch near Cheddar

• Homemade lunch near Bridgwater

...we hope we've given you a good reason to visit.

We're passionate about homemade food, generous portions and welcoming hospitality. Our Ploughman's reflects everything we believe a great country pub should be - simple, honest and made with care.

We'd love to welcome you to the White Horse Inn and let you decide whether it's the best Ploughman's lunch in Somerset.

White Horse Inn, Mark, Somerset

Serving homemade lunches, award-winning food and a warm welcome in the heart of the Somerset Levels.