The White Hart Inn, Bath

A traditional and imposing looking pub at the end of Widcombe’s pleasant High Street, it has long had a reputation as something of a gastro-pub and this evidence was born out by the fact that the vast majority of the tables were laid up for diners, with only a small bar area at the front of the pub available for drinkers. Décor wise it’s quite contemporary with whitewashed walls livened up with a few colourful watercolours and a wood strip floor. A good sized garden looked to be at the rear, although we did not investigate this. The small bar area was pleasant enough, with some padded bench seating in the window, bar stools and an L-shaped bar counter. As mentioned, food was firmly in the gastro category, with a quick glance at the menu showing most main courses in the £15 - £20 range. Beers on tap were the local Red Bear from Electric Bear Brewing along with Butcombe. The solitary cider was Ashton Press. Overall I quite liked this and will no doubt return to try the food, but there may be a bit too much emphasis on the food for some and I suspect that it would be tricky to find a seat at busy times with all the tables occupied by diners.

Quite a basic-looking pub (when viewed from the street), in something of a run-down area on the far side of the Avon from the railway station and city centre. However, the interior was opened out at some stage to leave an irregularly-shaped layout with various small seating / dining areas. It has also been thoroughly refurbished fairly recently, with light modern furniture and decor. Although obviously now a food-led operation, the small corner bar has a few stools and the staff made me feel welcome. Two handpumps, offering two Butcombe beers - the original Bitter and Adam Henson's Rare Breed (£3.30). Overall, rather better than I was expecting.