Prince of Wales, Criccieth

Prominent, white-painted corner pub in the centre of town. It has several rooms, smartly presented and opened out somewhat. The bar counter is handsome and has three hand pumps with two from Purple Moose plus Brains SA. One of the Mooses had reached the end of the barrel last night and not been changed, as it's quieter at the start of the week, so I went for the other, the Elderflower Pale, or Cwrw Ysgawen. It was in very good condition (NBSS 3.5, £5.60/pint). (The landlord told me the pub is owned by Stonegate, who allow him to get Purple Moose (Porthmadog) but not Lleu or Llyn, also very good local breweries.) I didn't get to look around all that much as I was kept in conversation most of my visit. But from what I saw and drank, both pub and beer are on very good health.

Left what I assumed to be the best bet until last, and I was right. This is a comfy traditional pub over what initially looks like an L shaped interior but actually the bar is an island as there's a raised rear area behind and there’s plenty of different seating areas to choose from. Décor done to a high standard circa 1988; fabric banquettes, pub carpet, dark varnished wood trim and kept very well. Of interest are the selection of mounted shields on the lower part of the servery alongside a leaded glass upper. Also a ship's beam is on display, WhatPub says “probably from the schooner Owen Morris, wrecked near Criccieth in 1907”. One cask on (sensible for a Wednesday night) and it paid dividends as my Brains SA was in great shape (NBSS4) aided, no doubt, by the presence of a local folk group having a sing-a-long which created a super atmosphere. Easily the best pub in town based on this visit and worth getting off the train for. 8.5