Ye Old Farmhouse, Bath

Ye Old Farmhouse page at the Wadworth site - www.wadworth.co.uk

This attractive pub markets itself as an ale and music venue. It’s up to the top of a steep hill, so great views of Bath can be had from the outside on Camden Crescent. The interior layout includes an unusual pentagonal corner. The young staff were a cut above the average minimum-wager. There’s an emphasis on jazz and alternative music; indeed the selection playing on my visit was really enjoyable. A dart board was spotted. The ales available were Abbey Bellringer and Wadworth 6X alongside Hell Bells cider. My Bellringer was good. I also liked the stained glass in some of the windows too. Whilst it isn’t going to be competing on the same level as a number of Bath’s best pubs ale-wise, I think I would certainly pay this one a few visits if I were local.

A traditional old boozer located close enough to the city centre, but it’s up a bit of a hill and with mostly residential streets beyond it is unlikely to attract many of Bath’s visitors. Jazz seems to feature heavily here, with numerous black and white photo’s on the walls and a band area at the rear that had some suitable large speakers and a DJ console. There was even an old trumpet hanging on the wall next to the bar. The colour scheme is an odd mix of purple and orange which might not be to everyone’s taste, but there is also plenty of stained glass, in the lower half of the exterior windows, in the porch and above the bar. It’s a L-shape bar with the rear area being up a few steps. The front part has traditional wood bench seating around the perimeter with a liberal sprinkling of brightly coloured cushions. Potted plants on the window sill, a brick fireplace and a pile of board games complete the interior furnishings. The rear bar had a pool table and a plasma, and this led out to a small terrace. Beers on tap were all from the Wadworth’s stable, with their Malt & Hops, Horizon, 6X and Henry’s IPA. Ciders were Thatcher’s Gold and Weston’s Traditional Scrumpy.