Cross Keys Inn, Combe Down, Bath

Friendly pub in the Combe Down area of Bath. There are a couple of rooms with bare boards. I sat in what appeared to be the slightly larger of the two, which had a TV and a fireplace. On my early Friday evening visit, most people were sat either at tables to the front amongst the rather tight car park or in a larger garden to the rear, where a barbecue was in full action and where there is also a large children's play area. There were 4 cask ales on the bar - Butcombe Original, Otter Bitter & Wantsum Fortitude & Yellow Tail. Thatcher's Stan's Cheddar Valley was also on handpull, with Thatcher's Gold on keg. It appears that the Friday & Saturday evening barbecues have only recently started or re-started for the summer months. I decided to try a cheeseburger, which was tasty and large enough and came to £8.50. There were also hot dogs, in addition to the burgers. Food is served inside too. There were numerous boards displaying things like the soup of the day and another promoting a forthcoming appearance of curried goat. Both dogs and children are available. Biscuits are provided for dogs and there is a children's menu. I tried the Yellow Tail, which was acceptable. Most customers were an after work crowd drinking lager, cider and Guinness. With the King William IV currently closed, this is probably the only decent option in the Combe Down area.

A pub of 2 halves with a GBG entry. It’s an early 19th pub which would once have been a village local but has now been absorbed into the suburbs, losing something in the process. There is a minimal amount of parking at the front, but this is shared with benches and tables, and it’s easy to get blocked in. There is a paved garden at the back with covered seating. The right half is a restaurant, the left a smaller bar with various seating arrangements. Both areas have open fires and old wooden floors. The atmosphere was friendly, though possibly a bit cliquey, while the staff were welcoming enough. There was 1960s music on the sound system. Midford Cider was on hand pump, along with Otter Ale and Tribute, both ales in perfect condition. It’s probably a decent local, and it’s worth seeking out for its beer quality, though the range could be better.

Official site of the Cross Keys - crosskeysbath.co.uk

Official site of the Cross Keys - crosskeysbath.co.uk