The New Inn, Dursley

Official site of The New Inn - thenewinnwaterleybottom.co.uk

Official site of The New Inn - thenewinnwaterleybottom.co.uk

A tucked away and somewhat isolated pub located right at the end of a dead end track, it certainly cannot get anything in the way of passing trade and there did not look to be any dwellings in the vicinity either. Nonetheless, there’s a decent size car park, and there seemed to be a good mix of locals and walkers in on our Sunday afternoon visit. Nestled at the foot of a hill, it’s certainly an attractive spot and the garden at the rear makes the most of this. There was also quite a large covered veranda which included both table heaters and a pool table. Internally it consists of two rooms, a lounge at the rear and a more basic public bar at the front. The lounge was quite cosy although perhaps didn’t have quite the atmosphere of some country inns. There were a few beams on the ceiling, carpet on the floor and much exposed stone walling. A wood burning stove was burning well and giving off plenty of heat. The front bar, although more basic, certainly had some character and there was a very friendly pub dog running around. There was pale green wood panelling on the walls and various bits and pieces were scattered around including an illuminated world globe, numerous old metal advertising signs, table skittles, pot plants, an old free standing beer engine in the corner and a selection of board games and books. A chalkboard menu on the wall offered a selection of lunch time dishes including ham egg & chips, sausage & mash, Thai vegetable curry, chilli and a number of sandwiches and baguettes. The main courses seemed to be mostly priced around the £9/£10 mark. Beers on tap were Bath Ales gem and their own New Inn Ale. Ciders were clearly the star of the show here though, and besides pumps for Mortimer’s Orchard and Addlestones on the bar, a small chalk board menu at the end of the bar also offered Stan’s Traditional, Weston’s Perry, Big Apple, Ashbridge Dry, Wild Side, Wild Perry, Tyndale Gold, Berkeley Vale, Ernie Boy, Dabinett and Sam’s Traditional. All in all a fantastic, unspoilt country pub and well worth making the effort to track it down.