The Fleur De Lys, Bath

The Fleur De Lys is still open, but is under the same ownership as the George across the road. I tried a few times (unsuccessfully) to contact them by telephone and social media to check their opening times, but eventually concluded that it was likely they opened on Friday & Saturday evenings (possibly also Thursday too). With the George car park full, I was forced to park in the Fleur de Lys car park and spotted that the doors were indeed open on a Friday evening and I joined the smattering of locals inside. Of the two pubs, this is the one that seems to be favoured by the villagers who prefer to leave the George to visitors. There are a couple of rooms with bare boards and exposed stone walls. Both are long and thin with the bar separating them. The room to the right had a pool table at the far end with a skittle alley signposted. The room to the left had a nice stone fireplace. It also had a TV (switched off) and a dartboard. In fact, there was no music either, leaving just the sound of conversation. Dogs are allowed and the pub is available for hire. On the bar, there are 3 handpulls. Just the one was clipped with Butcombe Original. The pick of the keg options was Butcombe Tall Trees Pale. In many ways, I preferred the Fleur de Lys to the George, but the latter has to be seen as it is a true gem.

Facebook page of The Fleur De Lys - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Fleur De Lys - butcombe.com

Facebook page of The Fleur De Lys - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Fleur De Lys - butcombe.com

Prety sure this pub is closed now - building is still being used, but only to provide rooms for the George Inn across the road. From what I can tell, Butcombe Brewery (who own the George) treat what was the Fleur De Lys as an extension of the George, but refer to the building as 'The Plaine' for some reason (https://butcombe.com/the-george-inn-somerset/rooms-suites/bell/)

A limestone village pub dating from the 16th Century, currently run by Wadworths. It sits right on the road at what was once a busy junction, opposite the village’s other pub, The George. There is a gravel car park behind the pub, from which you enter the pub through an outside seating area and past the kitchen. The interior is atmospheric, much of it original. The walls are limestone for the most part, floors were restored floorboards and the original stone hearths and chimney breasts add character. Architecturally it’s a real gem, though that’s where my enthusiasm ends. The barman was completely apathetic when we came in, begrudgingly vacating his barstool on the customers’ side of the counter, whence he was watching sport on the TV with his friend (the only other customer) to serve us. Apart from the annoying TV, there was equally annoying background music. Five handpumps, all serving Wadworth’s beers. I had a pint of Horizon, which was in good condition, but very much over-priced for the area. I doubt I’ll bother to come back in unless they sort out their act.