The Fountain, Ely

A relatively unspoilt Victorian pub opposite the Porta gatehouse of Ely cathedral. Built in the local buff coloured bricks it’s now one long room with furnishing in keeping, wood and cast iron, hard benches and bent wood stools at the counter. One end has damaged quarry tile floors the other some very original floor boards. There is a fire place at each end, one quite plain and one a bit more fancy, one end may have been a separate more up market bar or saloon with the boards and plain fireplace being in a public bar. Nowadays the counter and its top are modern replacements with no impressive bar back, the decor is grey above and below the dado and the pictures more than ok modern art works, I liked the stuffed fish on the fireplace. Beer wise just Hobgoblin Gold on the five set and three set at different ends of the counter, Adnams and Taylors clips were reversed on some pumps. Even one of the T-Bars and a couple of solos had towels over so maybe closure looms, there was only one other punter.

This was one of two pubs that I'd planned to visit in Ely and don't open until the evening during the week. I arrived just before the published opening time of 5pm to find a group of several locals waiting for the doors to open. Peering through the windows, I could only see one clipped handpull. Another two appeared to be turned around. The reason became apparent when I entered. When standing along the long part of the bar, you can then see the beers! Adnams Ghost Ship & Southwold Bitter were accompanied by Timothy Taylor Landlord. Other than the beers, the first thing I (and some of the others) noticed was how cold it was inside. It had admittedly been a pleasant autumn day outside, but you got the impression somebody is saving on the energy bills. It took a while for the young barmaid to get through the thirsty regulars before getting to me. Although, she was fairly efficient.