The Plough, Ipswich

Nothing extraordinary about this place. The strongest real ale was Adnams Ghostship which was in good condition, but I doubt that I'd return.

Official site of The Plough - www.ploughipswich.co.uk

Official site of The Plough - www.ploughipswich.co.uk

This historic town centre pub, believed to date back in parts to the 17th century, has had a colourful recent history, having been converted to a nightclub called Blades in the 1980's, before closing and reopening as an ale-only pub for a couple of years in the early '90's, with no keg products available. It now provides a reasonable central drinking option, popular with football fans on match days. The large, rambling interior is focussed around a centrally positioned bar area which has bare floorboards in a shallow U-shaped section. At the front there is a nice, carpeted area with standard tables and chairs which quickly give way to banquette and standard seating as you move closer to the corner entrance. This section is partitioned from the bar by some low walls which bizarrely incorporate various tiles and drawer fronts which creates an unusual, hit and miss aesthetic. There is some bench and standard seating down the left hand side of the pub, underneath England bunting which has been put up rather early in anticipation of the World Cup this summer. On the other side of the building, you can find some nice button backed banquettes in a tile floored area with lots of dining style tables, although no-one seemed to be eating on my Saturday evening visit. Music played quietly throughout my stay whilst a football match played silently on a number of TV screens throughout the pub. There were four beers on handpull when I arrived - Adnams Mosaic and Southwold Bitter, Fullers London Pride and Greene King IPA. Not the most thrilling selection, but the Mosaic was in excellent shape and served to me by a friendly barman. There's not too much here that you won't have seen in countless town centre pubs the length and breadth of the country, but that's not to say that it's not worth consideration. The beer was certainly in good shape and I can imagine it would be a lively spot if you wanted to watch some sport on their screens. Not one of the town's finest perhaps, but a solid enough place to consider an occasional visit.

Large rambling pub that is almost part of the Old Cattle market bus station. Has rooms and seating areas all over the place and it has had a facelift over the last couple of years. Four real ales on tap.