The College, Wakefield

Official site of The College - www.collegewakefield.co.uk

Official site of The College - www.collegewakefield.co.uk

This pub hasn't changed much since the review below, except for nearly six years of wear and tear on the fixtures and furnishings, so that it is now in need of a lick of paint, and the bench seating is badly in need of reupholstering if not replacing. There are still two hand pumps on the bar with two Marstons beers on. I had the Jennings Hop Commotion, but you'd have to have been deprived of hops for a considerable period of time before this beer prompted anything like a commotion - not that the beer was in anything other than good condition, but the word "wow" did not even come close to passing my lips. I wouldn't want to put anyone off coming here, as the atmosphere was good and the service and welcome were friendly. Nice pub, but there are better beers elsewhere in Wakefield. Date of visit: 15th July 2017

Originally dating from 1853, when it was known as The Chestnut Tree, The College is a medium sized Marston’s house found on the northwest fringe of the city centre. Hard to miss, with its incongruous mock-Tudor exterior, it’s nevertheless a comfortable, traditional style pub, once inside. Essentially, the interior is one open plan space, but with a couple of cosy corners remaining from the original layout, before the pub was extended. Fixtures and fittings are pretty much what you’d expect, with upholstered wall benches, heavy curtains and traditional tables and chairs. Walls are covered with photos and art prints from the early 1900s and several high shelves are lined with bottles, plates and various ephemera. The two real ales at the bar during my visit were Cumberland Ale and Wychwood ‘Dogs Bollocks’. I suspect the former is a regular, with the second pump rotating Marston stable seasonals. Opting for a pint of the DB, I have to say it was in excellent nick and a decent temperature, although I did have to ask for a top up from the slightly standoffish landlord. After a three year hiatus, sheer coincidence saw me visit on a Wednesday lunchtime once more and the atmosphere was remarkably similar, with a decent lunchtime buzz coming from a mixed clientele. Several old boys were propping up the bar, whilst a cluster of office workers were eating bar snacks. Food looked to be good value traditional fare. Other facilities are a pool table and Sky TV. A quiz is held every Thursday, whilst Fridays are reserved for karaoke. Overall, it’s a solid, middle of the road sort of place. Certainly not a must visit from an ale drinker’s point of view, but possibly worth a punt if passing.