Old Bridge Hotel, Huntingdon

An old ivy covered building as the name suggests it’s at the end of the old bridge over the Great Ouse. It’s basically a posh hotel with a public bar and in the GBG, I found the beer distinctly average. The bar is up the entrance stairs then a couple of left turns and down again. On the counter are three hand pumps with an own badged beer, brewer un-named except it said “made in East Anglia” and an extremely average Nene Valley Manhattan Project, the kegs included some Hawkstone tosh and some standards. As an hotel bar it’s tastefully decorated having square panelling, board floors, antler light fittings, fake bullseyes in the windows and unfortunately a naff brick fireplace. Furnished with sofas and a variety of tables and chairs, service is very hotel. My pint was just acceptable, a short measure and in a dirty glass.

Steps climb up to the main entrance of the Old Bridge Hotel where the door opens into a foyer with the hotel’s reception straight ahead and a lounge to the left that sits at the top of some stairs, six of them, that descend into the sunken bar area. The rectangular bar area has wood panelled walls and a fireplace made of tiny little bricks on the right-hand wall, and on the left-hand wall is a stool lined wood panelled serving counter that supports premium keg and three hand pumps that were drawing Adnam’s Ghost Ship alongside Barsham Brewery’s Eastern Gold and Bob, the latter being a good pint. The service was very polite, which I would expect at any hotel that markets itself at the more affluent of society. I wouldn’t make a special trip to revisit, but if passing I’d maybe pop back in for a quick pint.

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.