The Golden Lion, St. Ives

There is a big banner hanging out front proclaiming to be the only CAMRA good beer guide listed pub in St Ives. it's not bad with three ales on during our visit including the usual Doom Bar but there are better pubs worthy of listing in my opinion.

Not a pub that makes particular good first impressions and will be of limited appeal to the average drinker. The front bar is at best functional and at worst, a mess of manky and tasteless decor. The bar itself is semi-octagonal (if such a shape exists), the colour scheme rather gloomy and everything appears to be rather random and slapdash with lots of exposed wiring and collectables arranged sporadically around the bar. A darts area is to the right of the bar and at the rear of the pub is a second bar with a pool table but it has the feel of of a student bar. Beyond this are the gents and a tiny and not particularly attractive beer patio. The corridor between the 2 bars probably has the mankiest carpet in Cornwall. Strangely, despite all the negatives, there is a pretty good selection of ales that does make the visit worthwhile – Doom Bar, Heligan Honey, Keltek Magik and Old Rosie cider. The locals seemed harmless enough and if you are not fussed about asthetics, then the place may just have some appeal to you. If you are not an Ale fan and prefer somewhere a bit easier on the eye, then this is not the place for you.

Basic, no frills boozer located just a short stroll from the beach. In the front there’s a cluster of tables and bench seating around a semi-octagonal wood panelled bar. There’s a small TV which wasn’t on for our visit and a darts board. The décor is mostly red, with red painted brick and plaster, although there is an exposed stone wall at one end which makes a slightly more interesting feature. There is also another bar at the rear, although we didn’t try that on our visit. Large wood framed windows provide plenty of natural light. Beers on tap were just Heligan Honey and Doom Bar, although there was a third pump that was not in use on this occasion. Ciders were Strongbow, Bulmers and Old Rosie.