Bell Inn, Leominster

The last time I was in Leominster, less than a year ago, this pub was closed and covered in scaffolding; now it's in the Good Beer Guide 2014 - how did that happen? Not that I'm complaining, as the refurbishment seems to have been accomplished with a certain degree of taste, and the beers are well kept. Four hand pumps on the smart new light wood bar had three Wye Valley beers plus Shepherd Neame Spitfire at the time of my recent visit. There's green painted wood panelling on the walls to waist height, with plain white painted walls or outrageous 70s wallpaper above. A small lean-to brick extension at the back houses the dart board and the pub was busy enough for a weekday night - in fact, I got the impression that a number of the regulars from the Chequers on my last visit had migrated back to here now that it's reopened, and this was by some way the busier of the two pubs.