Pubs and Bars / Pubs
Pub of the week: The Gloucester Old Spot
The last time I was in the Kellaway Arms beer garden in suburban Horfield, a mangy-looking duck with most of its feathers missing ate half of a sandwich straight from my hand.
It roamed the garden in one of those pubs which successive owners just didn’t seem to know what to do with, one recent custodian even removing the ‘Arms’ from the name in an ill-fated attempt at a rebrand.
The Kellaway – Arms or not – is now no more and its in place comes the Gloucester Old Spot.
is needed now More than ever
I couldn’t resist having the eponymous sausages, served with a creamy mash and crispy beer-battered onion rings; from a food menu served from 9am to 9pm just to keep the chefs on their toes.
Unusually for a pub, they have their own blend of Clifton Coffee, with breakfast options the likes of full English, pancakes and butties.
On the bar are large jars of homemade chilli eggs and pickled eggs, next to a tempting tray of lemon drizzle cakes, croissants and custard tarts.
The beers were the disappointingly ubiquitous triumvirate all too often seen in leasehold pubs in Bristol of Bath Ales Gem, Butcombe Bitter and Sharp’s Doom Bar.
More pleasing was a well-kept Timothy Taylor Landlord as the guest ale, with Wickwar’s Bob coming soon. Ciders on tap are Symonds and Thatchers Gold.
Outside, the pub is now a light shade of green, while inside there is a muted Farrow & Ball colour scheme and lights held up by old copper pipes.
Since the days of the mangy duck, the garden has had a revamp and now has a large wooden awning, decking areas and picnic tables arranged in booths by the far fence.
Youngsters will also love the Wendy house and a particularly good picture to colour in of the ss Great Britain and Suspension Bridge.
The Gloucester Old Spot, 138-140 Kellaway Avenue, Horfield, Bristol,BS6 7YQ
0117 924 7693
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