The Kings Head Hotel, Ross-On-Wye

This is a terraced hotel and restaurant, with a public bar. It is the architypal symmeterical Georgian build, being in white, with black paintwork. It has two upper storeys of five sash windows, four on the ground, two either side of the neo-classic entrance. Ionian pilasters and keystones make up the decoration. Entrance is via a corridor that has a quiet room off to the left and a restaurant room at the back. The bar is to the right and in heavy oak panel, a white and weathered beam ceiling and a wood floor. There is a tiled fireplace with a burner fire. There are a few mirrors, prints and indentures and things on the walls, as well as mix of seating; settles, bench, stools and wood chairs. The TV had the news on, silently, destroying a little of the ambience - the music was general and at a decent level. The service was fine and a few locals were in, along with the odd guest. Beer; usual tap stuff with Peroni. On handpull there were Doombar and Wye Valley Butty Bach and Bitter - both were decent. A really nice little place and one i would definitely return to.

Kings Head official site - www.kingshead.co.uk

The Kings Head is a large town centre former coaching Inn that partly dates back to the 14th Century although it was much altered in the early 19th Century by way of an additional storey and new facade. The main drinking area is the Kings Bar to the right of the entrance corridor, a single room with open bar in one corner, bare floors, an open fireplace and beamed ceiling held up by a central support pillar. The oak paneled walls contain an interesting selection of old maps among other artifacts. On the opposite side of the corridor is a separate room that appeared to be geared towards informal dining whilst a more formal restaurant can be found at the rear. The 3 ales on my vist comprised of a Wye Valley brace (Bitter and Butty Bach) and the ubiquitous Doom Bar. Prices seemed pretty reasonable and I had no qualms with quality. The service was fine and the general ambience was quite mature and welcoming. The food was at the restaurant end of the market so it’s probably more of a special occasion place than a quick fish n chip stop. I have often found such similar pubs to be sterile, lifeless and out of touch with anyone beyond the hotel residents but the Kings Head does retain a good degree of character and would certainly be among my favourite pubs in town.

Kings Head official site - www.kingshead.co.uk