The Wentworth, Sheffield

I'd heard that real ale had been restored here, but it took me a while to return for a new review. The interior has had a sympathetic refurbishment, the bar has been moved to a more central position and the place looks altogether more classy, with the advertising clutter removed from the exterior. There are three hand pumps, of which two were in use at the time of our visit, offering Acorn Barnsley Bitter and Rudgate Ruby Mild. Both beers were in excellent condition, and served in oversized, lined glasses. (The blackboard near the bar mentions a house beer, which was not on, and I neglected to ask which brewery was responsible.) There's a yard at the back with bench tables, and a conservatory-type extension, which also looked very smart. We enjoyed our visit here, which was a refreshment stop on the Five Weirs Walk, and would not hesitate to call again if the occasion arose.

The exterior looks promising: an old Wards house in red brick, some painted green, with an interesting tiled insert of the original name: Wentworth House Hotel. Inside, it's had a bland modern refurbishment that has taken away all the character that it might once have had. On the bar: just the usual fonts with bland lagers and the worse-than-bland Tetleys and John Smiths smooth abominations. There was Stones on the old electric metered pump, which was cold and bland but just about drinkable. A couple of real ales would have made this place tolerable rather than disappointing, but as it stands I wouldn't make the effort to come here again.