Old Bridge Hotel, Huntingdon

Here for the Good Beer Guide Tick - which you cannot fault the book for variety. This is a poshest of posh restaurant/hotel - complete with a an adjacent wine shop. No entry from the ivy clad frontage. Instead, through the car park and through a nice beer garden into a reception area. All immediate tables setup for fine dining. We got our bearings and spotted the lower level bar area and started on our way. We were immediately pounced on by liveried staff who wanted to know if we had a reservation. Of course not - and we explained that we just wanted a drink. We were offered the chance to wait outside in the drizzle for table to be become free before this was allowed. I think all parties were happy with our decision to b*gger off.

The interior is well described by BF, below, and we found it had the look and feel of a hunting lodge. Outside, the garden has a long ramp for wheeled access, while the majority of it was paved and set to table. There is also a small car park. The staff were pleasant and helpful, and the majority of the inside customers civilised. Contrary to expectations it wasn’t that expensive either. Two ales on, Lacon Blonde and Adnams Ghost Ship. I had the Adnams which was in very good condition. I’d be very happy to come back, maybe to overnight, and certainly to try the food.

A very fine,expensive looking hotel,you enter through a stone portico doorway (or via the car park) and the bar is at a lower level to your left.The room is square with wood panelling,a large brick fireplace and sofas in the middle with more traditional furniture elsewhere.On the higher level there is a coffee bar,and informal eating area but the whole scene is upmarket and not the place to eff and blind. The bar will always carry something from Harts Family,Adnams and Nene Valley on the three pumps leaving me a choice of Adnams Lighthouse,Nene Valley Egyptian Cream and a very good Hart Family Mid Atlantic Pale (£4.25 and worth it).THe GBG listing is fully justified. Although the hotel backs onto the River Great Ouse,views are limited by trees,the moorings at £25 per night will discourage visiting moorers.However the hotel bar is well worth visiting and should be included on any ale tour of the town.

Expensive hotel type bar with many rooms and weak real ale. Nice outside area with the A14 in the background.

Have drank here on a number of occasions. Dont let the fact that it ius a hotel put you off. The real ale, ever changing, is always on good form and the staff are some of the best trained around. Good food, either in the bar or the restaurant. Off licence as well.