tasty and crunchy
Our Story
About the Sheppey
Tucked away in the beautiful wilds of the Somerset Levels, The Sheppey Inn is a vibrant escape surrounded by peat moors, dairy farms, and national wildlife reserves. It’s a place that draws people from miles around, not just for its picturesque location, but for the brilliant and eclectic musicians it attracts, its fine selection of local ales and ciders, and its fantastic food.
The Sheppey has been a community hub for centuries. The pub hosts a diverse array of musical events, from open mic nights showcasing local talent to lively jam sessions and performances from bands spanning genres like funk, blues, and soul. Beyond the music, the Costigans also foster a strong sense of community with events like quizzes and the annual Godney duck race.
On the bar, you’ll find a constantly changing roster of local beers, ales, and cask ciders, including many one-offs and speciality brews. This commitment to local products is a major draw, with the pub partnering with small, local producers to showcase the best of Somerset’s rich agricultural heritage.
The food is just as much of a highlight. With a modern European menu that puts a local Somerset twist on classic dishes, the kitchen uses locally sourced ingredients to craft fantastic meals.
For those who want to simply relax, the waterside terrace is the perfect spot. Overlooking the peaceful River Sheppey, it offers a perfect vantage point for enjoying the scenery and watching for kingfishers and voles. Inside, the quirky and eclectic decor adds to the pub’s unique character, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that’s both a contrast to and an extension of its wild natural surroundings. Spending an afternoon here, with good food, great music, and a view of the river, is a truly special experience.
History
For centuries, the Sheppey Inn served as a simple country pub for the farmworkers of the Somerset Levels.
Located in a 17th-century former cider house, its name comes from the nearby River Sheppey.
For 120 years, a single family owned the establishment, and it was primarily a place for locals to enjoy cider. This tradition was famously broken in 1976 when the owners ran out of cider, resulting in a loss of trust from the local community for the following two generations.
- Eclectic decor: The interior is known for its quirky and unusual furnishings. Low-beamed ceilings in the bar contrast with high white walls in the barn, and decor includes 1950s furniture, art exhibitions by local artists, and guitars waiting to be played.
- Renowned food: A classic dish is the fish stew with smoked haddock, mussels, cod, and salmon.
- Live music: Music became a major part of the pub’s culture, with regular live bands and a background mix of jazz, funk, and blues.
- Critical acclaim: The pub has received high praise from national publications. It was listed as one of the best pubs in Somerset by The Guardian, while The Times called the inn “a bit bonkers”.
The Sheppey’s new chapter
In 2020, Ben and Tamsin Costigan purchased the pub. As regulars who lived in a neighbouring village, they were keen to maintain the pub’s established spirit.
- Community focus: The Costigans came from a background of community work and aimed to continue fostering a strong community spirit.
- Continued success: Under the new ownership, the Sheppey Inn has continued to thrive, maintaining its reputation for excellent food, live music, and a wide selection of local ciders.
- Industry recognition: The inn continues to be recognised in guides like the Trencherman’s Guide and the Good Beer Guide.
The Owners
Ben and Tamsin Costigan purchased The Sheppey Inn in 2020 with a mission to preserve its distinctive, community-focused character. As previous regulars and residents of a nearby village, the couple was deeply familiar with the pub’s spirit and aimed to carry it forward.
A background in community work
Before moving to the Somerset Levels in 2019, Ben and Tamsin were already seasoned in grassroots community projects in their former home of Bristol.
- They were volunteers in a project to save their local library, which was threatened by funding cuts.
- Through their efforts, the space was reopened and transformed into a community hub, complete with a cafe and venue for events and local groups.
A passion for local community
The Costigans’ experience with the library project shaped their philosophy for running The Sheppey. Their goal was not just to operate a business but to foster a vibrant community space, which included:
- Maintaining the pub’s emphasis on building positive local relationships.
- Preserving the pub as a venue for live music, food, and local cider, continuing its function as a central social hub.
- Bringing their community-focused perspective to their stewardship of the inn.
Maintaining The Sheppey‘s legacy,
Since taking over, Ben and Tamsin have continued The Sheppey‘s long-standing traditions while enhancing its reputation.
- Customer-focused service: Customer reviews often praise Tamsin’s friendly and welcoming demeanor and Ben’s knowledgeable service, which creates a positive atmosphere.
- Continued recognition: Under their ownership, The Sheppey has remained a highly regarded venue, featured in guides like the Trencherman’s Guide and the Good Beer Guide.
- Local focus: They maintain the focus on local ciders and beers, continuing to draw people from surrounding areas to enjoy the countryside setting and atmosphere.
the little village that was an island
All About Godney
Godney is a small, atmospheric village in the heart of the Somerset Levels, split into Upper Godney and Lower Godney. It is located just a few miles from both Glastonbury and Wells, and as the name suggests—translated from the Old English Godeneia as “God’s Island”—it was once a clay island or “burtle” rising out of the flooded marshlands.
Here is a breakdown of what makes Godney so unique, from its ancient origins to its modern-day mysteries.
Folklore & Legends
Because of its proximity to Glastonbury, Godney is deeply entwined with the “Mists of Avalon” and Arthurian mythology.
- The Sheppey River Monster: This is perhaps the most famous local legend. Villagers tell tales of a monstrous entity, sometimes described as a giant mutated eel or an ancient water spirit, that haunts the River Sheppey. It is said to be most active when the thick mists roll in from the moors, with sightings of glowing eyes and eerie ripples in the water.
- The Mists of Avalon: Local lore suggests that the veil between the physical world and the spirit world is particularly thin in Godney. Many believe the village sits on a spiritual pathway; Godney Church is famously part of a “Glastonbury Alignment” that connects it directly to the Old Church at Glastonbury and Butleigh Church.
- The Glastonbury Lake Village: Just a mile south of Godney lies the site of a prehistoric Iron Age settlement. Discovered in 1892, this “Lake Village” consisted of roundhouses built on man-made islands. Folklore often reimagines the inhabitants as the original guardians of the Levels, with some local stories suggesting their spirits still watch over the waterways.
Ghost Stories
The landscape of the Levels—flat, damp, and often shrouded in fog—is a natural setting for ghost stories.
- The Shadowy Figures of the Sheppey: Guests at the local pub, The Sheppey Inn, and residents of Lower Godney have occasionally reported seeing shadowy figures moving through the reeds at dusk or standing on the riverbanks, only to vanish when approached.
- Ghostly Chants: Given its history as an outlying hermitage for Glastonbury Abbey, some locals have claimed to hear the faint sound of monks’ chanting coming from the fields where the ancient structures once stood, particularly on quiet, moonless nights.
- The “Hunky Punks”: While more common in nearby village architecture, the term “Hunky Punk” refers to the grotesque carvings on Somerset churches. In local superstition, these weren’t just carvings but protectors that would come to life at night to ward off evil spirits from the moors.
Archaeology & History
- The Glastonbury Lake Village: This is one of the most important Iron Age sites in Europe. It was a “crannog” (man-made island) that housed around 200 people. You can still see the mounds today, and many of the artifacts—including the famous “Glastonbury Bowl”—are housed in the Museum of Somerset in Taunton and The Tribunal in Glastonbury.
- World War II Pillboxes: During the war, Godney was part of the GHQ Line, a defensive stop-line intended to hinder a German invasion. You can still find concrete pillboxes scattered across the fields, now half-sunken into the peat.
- The Draining of the Levels: The landscape you see today is largely man-made. Monks from Glastonbury Abbey began the work of draining the moors centuries ago, turning what was once a vast inland sea into the “Summerlands” (Somerset) where cattle could graze.
What to See & Do
- The Sheppey Inn: A nationally renowned, quirky pub known for its “alternative” vibe, excellent food, and regular live music. It’s the heart of the village and a perfect place to soak up the local atmosphere.
- Nature Reserves: Godney is surrounded by some of the UK’s best birdwatching spots, including RSPB Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath. In winter, it is a prime spot to see the spectacular Starling Murmurations, where millions of birds dance across the sky before roosting in the reeds.
- Stargazing: Because there is very little light pollution, the “Big Skies” of Godney offer some of the best stargazing in the South West.
Godney is a place where history and myth feel very close to the surface. Whether you’re visiting for the wildlife or the “River Monster,” it remains one of the most evocative corners of the Somerset landscape.
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