Set in the idyllic Tamar Valley, and directly on the Tamar Valley trail the 17th Century inn The Rising Sun is the ideal place to stop for a drink or a meal when on the trail or waiting at Gunnislake station at the top of the hill.

According to hearsay the pub was originally two cottages and then became a bakery, where water was used from the well in the kitchen, which has now been covered over. The current cottages opposite the Rising Sun was the local pub, The Miners Arms, which presumably closed when mining in the area stopped. The bakery was converted into a pub in the 1620s.

The pub has been run by Roger, a former pilot, and Jan English since November 1999. They knew the pub before they came to Gunnislake, from visiting Jan's sister in Albaston when on holiday from Somerset, where they originally come from.

Roger and Jan said that their pub is dog friendly, and they keep a bowl full of water for any customers' dogs. They own a dog, who also acts as doorman but is not allowed in the pub when food is being served. Their cat, Felix, adopted Jan when they were in Somerset and came with them to Gunnislake and has settled in well.

Refurbished

Since November 1999 the kitchens have been refurbished and they are trying to build trade up again. Various activities include a music night, on the last Monday of every month, which includes local bands, busking nights and the occasional quiz night, which is more for amusement than com-petition.

The pub has recently started meals again as the kitchens have been refurbished. On the first night of serving food again Jan said many people commented that the portions were too large. She cooks the main bulk of the food and Roger is in charge of steaks and sauces.

Jan said: 'The pub and cooking the food is intended to be a joint effort between myself and Roger and eventually it will be but Roger has been tied up with the renovations.'

All the food is home made and the menu changes from week to week. Roger said: 'We source as many local materials as possible, as long as the quality is there.'

Kelly May who lives 'up the road' has worked behind the bar for two years. She said: 'I like the pub and the customers.'

Janet Nesaule also works behind the bar part time. She said: 'The Rising Sun is lovely. It's a smashing little pub, it's very attractive and the people are really nice. I really came here to do the ironing and ended up behind the bar!'

The other bar staff are Kate and Lauren - and the Rising Sun also has one waitress - Gemma.

As you walk into the pub the first thing to strike you, and hopefully not literally, is the amazing number of jugs, plates and 'nic-naks' hanging from the low beams. Roger admits he has problems because he is so tall but it is apparently worse upstairs, as he has to duck every two steps.

The plates and jugs and the many other items came with the pub and they have not been removed as they really add to its character, as do the 24 hanging baskets decorating the hooks along the outside pub walls during the summer.

The Rising Sun is a free house and only deals with breweries which will deal directly with them, these including Skinners and Sharps of Cornwall, Countryman scrumpy cider and Sutton Brewery from Plymouth.

The drayman from Sharps brewery, Bill Bowen said: 'They are very nice people here. Someone comes from Sharps to make weekly deliveries here. I like coming here, it's a nice place.'

The Rising Sun is one of the few pubs locally who have not stopped selling French wines, They have two ranges of house wines, one French and one Australian.

Roger explained: 'Basically our customers want the wine. We do offer alternatives in the Australian section for people who are against drinking French produce.'

Two regulars from Gunnislake are Mick Goddard and Dan Miles.

Mick said: 'This is a beautiful pub. It has retained many of its old features and there is always a decent atmosphere.'

Dan agreed with him and said: 'The Rising Sun is one of the prettiest pubs in the area, it has open fires in the winter.'

Mick continued: 'And a superb hanging basket display in summer.'

The Cornish Times returned to The Rising Sun in the evening to catch a few more locals having an after-work drink.

Friendly

Dave Skorecki from Gunnislake and Russell Tongue from Launceston both come to the pub after work most evenings.

Russell said: 'The pub is comfy and warm and everyone is really friendly. There are also lovely views down into the valley.'

Dave works in Plymouth as a network engineer and commutes everyday. He said: 'It's nice to come here for a pint before I go home. We all network in the pub and help each other out. It's part of the atmosphere - I think it's the nicest pub in the area.'

First timers at the pub in early evening were Peter and Claradette Tidy who thought they would pop in before going home. Peter works in London and from home and commutes from nearby Latchley during the week.

Claradette said: 'It's very much a pretty summer pub rather than a 'party' pub. The food's good and it has an overall good reputation.'

In the 'five o'clockers' corner were the 'web master' Ray Cornforth and landscape gardener Brian Payne.

Brian comes to The Rising Sun most evenings, regularly and early, and thinks it is the best pub in the area. Ray is branching into designing web sites, hence his nickname.

Ray said: 'There is a wide diversity of knowledgable people. There is no rank and structure, everyone is equal no matter what their station in life. You can always have a good conversation.'

Dr David Pengelly Bassett is a regular at The Rising Sun. He said: 'I have loved this pub since 1962, it has been my local since 1962, it is the loveliest atmosphere pub in the area.

The Rising Sun in Gunnislake has a good reputation and as Ray said, it has a wide range of knowledgable people, from doctors to brick layers. Dave described how every one helps each other out if their help is needed - from blocked drains to frozen computer screens.

The Rising Sun is a rural, quiet pub, with a friendly landlord and lady, staff and cheerful clientele. It is the ideal place for a drink or a meal - from the newly refurbished kitchens - with views into the Tamar Valley and beautiful beer gardens.