Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol pub crawl: The Victoria Inn, Westbury-on-Trym
A gulp of Thatchers Gold was bliss after navigating my way across the peaks and troughs of Bristol to reach Westbury-on-Trym.
You can’t go wrong with a countryside pub either – an idyllic setting, birds tweeting and fresh air mixed with the scent of hops.
While the sleepy suburb in north Bristol may technically not be in the countryside, it felt like a proper escape from the city on a recent Thursday evening.
is needed now More than ever
The Victoria Inn, nestled on Chock Lane, is a cosy brick building with a large, multi-tiered beer garden out back.
It is thought the building that now houses The Victoria Inn was built in the 18th century
Its quaint visual charm that began at the curb continued inside – tables were bare wood, the bar little and walls white-washed.
The landlord was endearing too, as he fastened the strap to secure his glasses to his head like goggles and handed us free scratch cards with our pints.
‘Please leave the premises quietly to avoid disturbing local residents,’ read a sign above the bar. There didn’t seem to be much risk of that, that evening.
A pint of Gold and Doombar did the trick on a recent muggy evening
One lone drinker opted to sit by the window where a fireplace – enticingly sooty and stacked with logs – lay dormant.
Other patrons flicked in and out of the doorway, choosing between the slightly cloying but more lively inside and the peaceful garden to the side.
Apparently, the dart board was the place to be that evening, as half a dozen women reigned over an inlet just beyond the bar. The thump of darts sinking into the board could just be heard above the whelps of triumph and defeat as the group battled it out.
Meanwhile, the ‘secret’ garden offered a less competitive and more tranquil ambience. Set back from the road, the backyard of the pub was accessible via some cobbled steps and looked out onto the leafy road.
A game of darts looked to be intense
Those looking for a classic village feel to their watering hole would do well to choose this place.
The Victoria Inn is an attractive, olde worlde pub satisfying those looking to escape from Bristol’s concrete belts.
I only wished I didn’t have to cycle up Parry’s Lane to get home.
The Victoria Inn is village pub close to the city
The Victoria Inn, 20 Chock Lane, Westbury, Bristol, BS9 3EX
All photos: Betty Woolerton
Read more: A-Z Bristol pub crawl: Under the Stars, Narrow Quay
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