The Tunnel House Inn, Cirencester

A fantastic old pub in a very out-of-the-way location down a pot-holed track and adjacent to the entrance of the canal tunnel from which the pub takes it’s name. In fact the pub was originally built to house the construction workers building the tunnel. Destroyed by a fire in 1952 it was then rebuilt in to the great hostelry that we find today. By the way, if you’re looking for the tunnel entrance, you drive over it as you enter the car park. Double back on yourself down a small path and you’ll soon find it. You can walk along the canal towpath in the other direction, although the canal is no longer navigable. It consists of a number of interconnected rooms, all with similar décor except for the light and airy dining area the back which looks to be a more recent extension. The largest room which includes the bar counter has a parquet wood floor and plenty of black beams on the ceiling. Hanging from the beams are all manner of knick-knacks such as old oil cans, flashing roadwork lanterns and an upside down card table, complete with playing cards, empty cans, an ashtray and even some fag ends! A large fire-place was off to one side surrounded by a couple of Chesterfield sofa’s, and oddly a few embers were still glowing in the hearth which seemed odd and a hot and sunny June afternoon. The two snugs off to either side were cosy rooms with carpeted floors, and an etched glass window looked out from one of them in to the main bar. This also had another fire-place with some wood panelling above it. At the rear the dining area had windows all up one wall overlooking a patio area, light coloured tiling on the floor, bookshelves covering the rear wall as well as a wood burning stove and a pile of logs. More paraphernalia was hanging from the ceiling in here, including some rowing oars. Outside is a large beer garden with plenty of picnic benches, and good views of the adjacent fields and rolling countryside. A wooden climbing frame is discreetly placed at the far end of the garden and there is also an old gypsy caravan that he been pressed in to service as a private dining room. A couple of chickens were wandering around hovering up any discarded scraps of food. Beers on tap were Uley Bitter, Otter Ale, Gem and Prescott Hill Climb. Ciders were well represented with Strongbow, Stowford Press, Ashridge Devon Blush and Devon Traditional. All in all, a great pub and well worth making the effort to seek out.