Farriers Arms, St Albans Central, St. Albans

Famed for being the host to CAMRA’s first ever meeting in 1972 (commemorated by a blue plaque on wall outside), the Farriers is a cosy little McMullens pub situated a short stroll from the City centre. The L shaped interior is divided into front and rear sections, both quite small and homely in an old fashioned way with a light airy feel enhanced by the white tongue and groove ceiling. There is a TV in one corner used aminly for sport and a noticeboard cluttered with events and messages next to an old cigarette machine. It is the sort of place for traditional pub games and the trophy laden shelf is presumably a sign that they have a decent darts team. Ironically, given the pub’s place in CAMRA’s history, the beers are limited to the 3 McMullens ales – Cask ale, AK and Country Best on my recent visit although there were a few pump clips on the wall behind the bar but I didn’t really examine them to see if there was anything that looked like any guest beers. Quality has never been an issue on my visits. I didn’t notice any food on offer on my recent visit but they have in the past had some good value simple snacks. Slightly on the downside although nothing too drastic, I have sometimes found the place a bit unwelcoming and cliquey, especially when it is busy although certainly nothing too offputting. It is certainly worth an initial visit but probably wouldn’t be a place that you will keep returning to given the number of good pubs in the vicinity.

Farriers Arms pages at the McMullens site - www.mcmullens.co.uk

Farriers Arms pages at the McMullens site - www.mcmullens.co.uk

Visited in May 2010 Small traditional side street McMullens pub close to the city centre. There's a small bar area at the front of the pub, which extends back into a separate room on the left, giving an overall L shaped drinking area. Through this separate room, a door leads to the rather basic outside toilets. The pub is traditionally furnished in a lightish, airy and unremarkable. It's music free and unspoilt, although a relatively unobtrusive TV high up in one corner of the bar was showing the Blackpool v Notts Forest play off game. The walls are decorated with some McMullens memorabilia. There's also a CAMRA mirror and some CAMRA award certificates. Famed for being the birthplace of CAMRA, a plaque outside reminds us that Herts CAMRA branch first met here. Beers on were the standard Mac's range - Country, AK and Cask. The Country - £ 3.00p - was in good form. The pub is a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular. This is a good honest unpretentious community local and, despite a distinctly underwhelming welcome, I'd probably do this one again.

Medium sized Wetherspoons which on my visit had no guest beers. Did not see any of the above people

The birth place of CAMRA. Very pleasant old fashioned corner pub with a front bar and seperate drinking/bar area at the back. Very comfortable. McMullens beers on tap.