Sheep & Penguin, Wells

Very modern inside (refurbished from its former incarnation of the long-closed Mermaid in 2023) but has a farmhousey character – I don’t need to repeat the fulsome recent descriptions below, you can just look at the pictures. Four interesting ales on, my Hop Union Black Flower was unfortunately a bit fag-end of the barrel (NBSS 2.5) but I think I was just a bit unlucky. Nice enough place, would give it another go and it looks a likely GBG26 pick to me. 6.5

Much as described by ETA below, this has been shut for more than ten years so it’s great so see it being given a new lease of life after an extensive refurbishment. Although I think I probably visited previously I really can’t remember what it was like, but Mrs B who grew up in the area and used to frequent it says that it’s quite unrecognisable. It’s formed in to a reverse L-shape internally, with a long room at the front housing the bar counter. There are sanded wooden boards on the floor along with some Victorian style chequered tiling by the bar, and very new looking, or at least renovated, exposed stone walling at either end. High tables and chairs were arranged along the front to make the most of the outlook, and the colour scheme was a mixture of deep aqua blue and mustard yellow, although there was also some maroon wood panelling on the lower part of the walls at the rear. A snug area at the front was perhaps a little cosier with some upholstered arm chairs and stools as well as a sheep and a penguin on the window sill, and there was a wood burning stove off to the right, as well as a further wood burner on a freestanding dual aspect brick chimney breast at the rea, which was something of a feature perhaps. A small courtyard patio area was at beyond this. The menu looked a step up from your usual pub grub, with most of the main courses being £20+. We were on there for a quick bite on a lunchtime, and were really after a sandwich or something similar. The only options were a steak or fish goujon ciabatta. We opted for the latter, which was a fish finger sandwich in all but name, and was served with a small bowl of chips. At £16.95 it seemed rather expensive. Beers on tap were Moor Stout, Electric Bear’s Citra Self Down and their own Sheep & Penguin Bitter brewed by the New Bristol Brewery, whilst a fourth pump appeared unused. The solitary cider meanwhile was Iford Wild Juice which went down well. Overall, I’ve mixed feelings about this. It’s great to see it re-open, they’ve done an extensive refurbishment even if it isn’t perhaps to my taste, and the staff were very friendly. But somehow it just didn’t quite hit the spot for me, partly because of the food prices no doubt but it just seemed a bit lacking in atmosphere or charm.

Previously The Mermaid, the pub reopened under the new name in Aug 2023. I wonder whether the name is a reference to the Falkland Islands – quite probable given that the pub is next door to the Falkland Islands Agency, which further raises the question as to whether the two businesses are connected. Whether it is or not, the pub has been substantially renovated inside and is now a bright, airy open plan space with wooden flooring and plenty of space between the tables. The original brick fireplace has been kept and the bar is a U-shaped dining and drinking area. There is no proper garden as such, but there is a paved yard at the back with a covered patio area and high tables. There is also a private dining room, but we didn’t look inside there. Ales on were Cheddar’s Gorge Best and two from Bristol Beer Factory: Big City Nights and Wildness. Keg offerings were Camden Helles, Kimono Weekday, Meantime IPA and Thatcher’s Gold. The young staff were very pleasant and helpful. The pub also offers B&B so would make a good place to stay, probably a better bet than some of the hotels in town. I’d be happy to come back for lunch of a beer.

Facebook page of Sheep & Penguin - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Sheep & Penguin - www.facebook.com

Official site of Sheep & Penguin - www.thesheepandpenguin.co.uk

Official site of Sheep & Penguin - www.thesheepandpenguin.co.uk