The Fountain Inn, Gloucester

An attractive looking pub set down an alleyway away from the main road, it has a pleasant outside courtyard and all together looks very inviting. It was perhaps then a slight disappointment on getting inside, to find not quite the old world charm that I had expected. There was nothing at all wrong with it, and many of the ingredients were there, but overall but just seemed a little bit tired looking. The pub is divided in to two halves with the main bar being an L-shaped room. There were a few black beams on the ceiling with the obligatory horse brasses tucked on to them and a large, and ornate, stone fireplace, although all that it contained these days was a rather feeble looking wood burning stove. Red patterned carpet was on much of the floor, and there was a large free-standing brick chimney breast with some sort of open fire within it, although this was not lit on my visit. The paint on the walls was some sort of off brown colour and the papered ceiling had that nicotine colour that one saw in many pubs years ago but has rather gone out of fashion of late. Seating was a mixture of wooden pews around the perimeter along with conventional chairs and a few red leather arm chairs. The second room was perhaps a little more geared up for dining with rows of tables and chairs, and this had a bit more of a contemporary look with light wooden laminate on the floor, although it too somehow managed to look a little shabby. I didn’t inspect the menu, but a couple of boards on the wall highlighted a wrap of the week, various steak options and several dishes that all ended with “and chips” – scampi, beef burger, sausage, and so on. These were all priced at £5. There was a good choice of beers on tap which on this occasion were Legend of Hillside, Butcombe, Gloucester Gold, Tribute, Dartmoor Jail Ale along with Independence and Nova from the Bristol Beer Factory. A smaller bar counter in the other room added Wickwar Star to the line-up. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher’s Gold and Stowford Press.

Called in here on both of our evenings in Gloucester. Fully described by OB & Soupy, so I won't bother. Exactly the same beers available as when Soupy called in, so I'm guessing these don't change much. I had a Hook Norton Lion one evening and a Butcombe bitter the following night, both were in very good nick. Ms CAMRA had a red wine on both occasions which she said was fine. It's a really nice pub and we'll call back next time we're in Gloucester.

This is a GBG pub in a courtyard, with a patio area. The building consists of a larger 'house' with a smaller side extension and incorporates features from the 16th-20th century. The extension looks earlier, the main building being 17/18th century. It is in white, with black paintwork. Interesting features are the neo-classic door, lower oriel window, quoins and the central octagonal upper window - it looks great. The interior has an L-shaped room, part bi-sected by a brick hearth feature. The walls are in white and brown, with a red patterned carpet and a part wood panel ceiling. There is a mix of bench seating, with general tables and chairs, and at least one impressive fireplace. some arty pictures co-exist with a few traditional prints, and there are a few vases dotted about. The TV wasn't on and the music was general and at a decent level. The service was fine and the place pretty busy on the night, with a mixed clientele - quieter on the day. Beer; usual tap stuff with Purity Mad Goose, St Austell Tribute, London Pride, as well as excellent Butcombe Bitter, Hook Norton Old Hookey, Lion and MILD. A really nice place, where you could happily stop for a few - even Mrs Soup said the tea was adequate (believe me, that means good).