Bull Hotel, Fairford

A good Arkell's pub.

An extensive pub, hotel and restaurant in the centre of Fairford overlooking the market square, it’s an attractive old stone building with numerous flower pots and hanging baskets decorating it and I was pleasantly surprised at what we found. I was expecting something a little characterless as many pub/hotels can be, but it seems a decent enough place and the few seats outside at the front was a great spot on an unseasonally warm spring day. The main bar area has a fairly traditional feel, with a low, beamed ceiling, burgundy paintwork and some exposed stone walls. There was an old fireplace to the left and a large and extensive blackboard menu hanging above it. We didn’t eat ourselves, but it appeared to consist mostly of pub grub dishes with main courses around the £8 - £10 mark. There was also a good selection of jacket potatoes. Numerous photos of airplanes, including the Red Arrows, adorned the walls which seemed appropriate given the close proximity of RAF Fairford. A smaller room at the front had a real fire blazing away which was perhaps a little superfluous given the weather, but is no doubt a welcome touch in the winter. There is also a good sized function room at the rear. Beers on tap were all from the Arkell’s stable with their 2B, 3B and Wiltshire Gold. The solitary cider was Stowford Press.