Crown & Sceptre, Ross-On-Wye

This is a terraced pub in the Market Place. Clearly, such a site has been occupied for centuries, and this place has been a pub since the Victorian period at least. It looks like a Victorian facade, but the core of the building is older (looking at the stacks). It is in white render, with blue paintwork on the windows and black beams on the gable. Two bay windows flank a central entrance, with two bow windows above. The interior is a single long room, with the serving bar on the left, half way up. The decor is grey, grey wood panel, cream, clay and other colours; making it quite noisey. Arty art is on the walls and there are a few stone fakey fireplaces. There is a VIP lounge at the back (up a step or two), which was dressed for a party at my visit. There is a dart board. The TV had silent news and the music was easy listening at a decent level - a little of a surprise, as with the art, as the place seemed to be aimed at another clientele. The service was fine and a few locals were in. Beer; usual tap stuff with Otter Amber on handpull (2 pulls not used). The Amber was actually well kept (again, i didn't really expect this). A far better experience than i expected - i would pop in for a swift half again, at the right time!

This 17th Century timber framed pub is thought to be the oldest pub in town currently open. Its recent history appears to have been quite problematic and led to an enforced period of closure in October 2010. It reopened in late 2011 but from my experience still appears to be aimed at the sort of people who probably led to the problems in the first place. The building looks enticing enough from the outside but the interior is all a bit faceless and bland. The front section has bare floors and has a quite pubby feel with traditional furnishings as opposed to the more loungey carpeted rear section with its rather kitch banquette and surround mirrors. The thumping music was quite offputting and seemed somewhat superfluous given that the pub was practically empty at peak time on a Friday night and would suggest that they might need to explore other ways of luring in the punters. There was certainly no major issue with the beers with a couple of ales available (Otter Amber and Doom Bar + a third pump unused), my pint of Otter being surprisingly good quality for a pub that doesn’t appear to show any inclination at aiming itself at the ale drinking demigraph. All in all, a bit of a let down but could have potential with a bit of imagination and a more sympathetic management outlook.