The Rising Sun Inn (Somerset)

“The Rising Sun Inn has a rich history dating back to 1573…Affectionately known by locals as The Riser, the pub is situated in the village of West Bagborough, on the southwest slopes of the Quantock Hills—an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty…Jo and Ray took over The Riser in October 2024. Jo, born and raised on Exmoor, and Ray, originally from Dublin…first met while working at the Carew Arms in nearby Crowcombe.” The Quantock Staghounds have their kennels in West Bagborough, and our listing of the Carew Arms says it “…boasts a rich history going back decades of hosting the annual Boxing Day meet of the notorious Quantock Staghounds (QSH) and – despite local concerns – was still welcoming the hunt for a pre-kill beverage in September 2024.” That support has been taken with the couple to the Rising Sun. Under ‘What’s On at the Riser‘ (at the time of writing in March 2025), there is a prominent link to the Cothelstone Quantocks Point-to-Point. Point-to-points are organised by hunts and are fundraisers for hunts. The QSH have been holding this event for years, The cruelty of the Quantock Staghounds is well-known amongst locals and activists alike – promoting fundraisers for them will never be accidental. Could a love for chasing and killing deer be why the new-ish owners moved pubs – just to be closer to the pack? The supporter who emailed us about the Rising Sun wrote “The man who owns the Rising Sun at West Bagborough is a strong supporter of the Quantock Staghounds. In the pub he was recently promoting the point to point and when he has had a few to drink is very vocal in the pub about hunting and blood sports.” If that sounds like the sort of place you want to spend your money, that’s up to you, but at least consider yourself pre-warned…