The Turmut Hoer, Abbeymead, Gloucester

A modem looking, brick built pub located on a small retail park in a residential area, signs outside informed that it was a “sizzling” pub, so my expectations weren’t set too high. Presumably the menu is one of the main attractions if you like that sort of thing, and the pub seemed to be largely populated with dining pensioners on my recent mid-week lunchtime visit. In terms of décor, they’ve clearly gone for a rustic look with large areas of exposed brick walling and pillars with some very chunky wooden beams and supporting posts elsewhere. A free standing and double sided brick chimney breast was something of a feature I suppose, although whether it’s ever put to use or not is another matter. Flooring was a mixture or red patterned carpet and sanded wooden boards along with quarry tiles around by the bar counter, whilst the paintwork was mostly either shades of mauve or fawn along with some deck egg blue panelling in places and floral wallpaper elsewhere. A couple of TV’s were dotted around, although the volume was off so this was not too intrusive. Although there were six hand pumps on the bar, two of these were doubled up leaving just Butcombe, Tribute and Doom Bar, with Rev James apparently coming soon. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher’s Gold and Strongbow. Overall, I suppose this isn’t really a bad pub and they have perhaps made a better effort than some in injecting a bit of character in to a new building, but ultimately it was too bland and corporate as well as being dominated by cheap, mass produced food to entice me back.

Official site of The Turmut Hoer - www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk

Official site of The Turmut Hoer - www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk