Skirrid Mountain Inn, Abergavenny

This pub's name conjures up an image of a remote rural pub on a barren mountainside. It is in fact located not far off a main A road in a reasonable size village. Nevertheless, the interior is very impressive. You can certainly feel the history here. Service initially required a lengthy wait, as the barmaid/landlady was on a lengthy telephone call with a customer. Others were waiting to pay for their night's accommodation. Doom Bar & Butty Bach was the uninspiring real ale selection. Still worth seeing though.

Good food great beer, but the staff didn't make any effort to make the wife and I feel welcome.

Official site of the Skirrid Mountain Inn, includes beer list - www.skirridmountaininn.co.uk

The Skirrid claims to be Wales' oldest pub, steeped in history dating to Norman times. A Grade II listed building, interior and exterior have been left pretty much intact. Formerly a venue for public hangings, the "drop" is preserved in the stairwell. If stones could talk, what tales they would tell! We were made welcome immediately, chatting with staff and regulars like old friends. We passed on the rather pricey lunch menu, but shared a plate of whitebait with salad (and extra bread as we were sharing!) Decent range of beers, TV room in the back, restaurant, beer garden, no pool table; B&B available, but weekends are booked solid into the autumn. It's even signposted off the A465 - why drive past when you can call in here?

The Skirrid claims to be Wales' oldest pub, steeped in history dating to Norman times. A Grade II listed building, interior and exterior have been left pretty much intact. Formerly a venue for public hangings, the "drop" is preserved in the stairwell. If stones could talk, what tales they would tell! We were made welcome immediately, chatting with staff and regulars like old friends. We passed on the rather pricey lunch menu, but shared a plate of whitebait with salad (and extra bread as we were sharing!) Decent range of beers, TV room in the back, restaurant, beer garden, no pool table; B&B available, but weekends are booked solid into the autumn. It's even signposted off the A465 - why drive past when you can call in here?

Official site of the Skirrid Mountain Inn, includes beer list - www.skirridmountaininn.co.uk