The Old Barge, Hertford

Hidden in a backwater (literally) this is a rather nice old pub with a couple of rooms at the front for drinkers and a restaurant area at the rear for diners. Overhead beams and comfortable seating give a cosy feel and there are some patio tables at the front. On handpump were a very tasty and well-kept Hadham Ciara, Banks Sunbeam and Marstons 61 Deep, as well as a couple of interesting ciders. A nice relaxed sort of pub.

Official site of The Old Barge - theoldbarge.com

Official site of The Old Barge - theoldbarge.com

There were four ales on in here - 61 Deep, Banks Mild (£2 a half), Adnam's Broadside, and Thwaite's Wainwright. They were obviously doing food when I was in on Saturday afternoon, as a large room down at the end beyond the bar on the right was clearly reserved for diners, complete with a "wait to be seated" sign guarding the entrance to the room. You enter the pub into a small lobby with a room on the left containing sofas and having a large brick built fireplace; there's a smallish drinking area on the right with the bar counter on the left a little further down and with a sofa and armchair opposite it. There's a fair bit of outside seating at the front and to the left of the pub. It has an enviable position right by the river, with a footpath passing right by the pub. On a fairly warm and sunny day the outside area was busy with drinkers and diners. I thought the beer selection was OK (the appearance of a mild a special treat) although nothing very special. This pub looks incredibly enticing when you are on the bridge and see it in sunlight a few yards away, forcing you to hasten your pace to get there as soon as possible, and with an attractive external appearance that positively demands that you go in and enjoy a pint. A compulsion that few of us would fight against. I liked this pub.

Nice, large pub tucked down back streets and right on the river. Wooden floor, beams, seats in the bay windows, a relaxed feel with the long bar leading down to the more foody, light area. Lots o stools in front of the bar. 4 real ales and 3 ciders

GBG Entry, and right on the River - where I had walked from Cheshunt 13 miles ago. Two roomed - little snug to left and long bar, dining extension to the right. Busy and staff struggling to cope. Decent beer - and a rarely seen Otter Dark was enjoyed. In a doom bar glass. Its the attention to detail that gets the marks. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2kfV3VM