The Five Miles from Anywhere No Hurry Inn, Ely

A modern riverside building,surrounded by a marina and the small hamlet of Upware it does feel remote if arriving by road.The bar room is large and has picture windows with views over the River Cam and the flat pastures beyond.There is a wooden floor and a wood burner in one corner by a sofa but the liberal use of spotlights and the wall mounted speakers hint at alternative uses for the space ;there is occasional live music.To one side is a restaurant with a double aspect over the river frontage,while outside there is a patio with circular bench seating.There are photos of the old pub building which one stood here ,and very fine it was,as well as photos of a chain ferry which has now also sadly passed away. The welcome was friendly and although the pub was quiet,that was no reason to inflict a local commercial radio station on the customers.Food is served all day every day and the mains seemed priced from £8 to around £13.There was the distinct whiff of chip fat on the approach to the front door. At the bar there are five handpumps,one for real cider with the other dispensing GK IPA,Old Speckled Hen and Fireside with the only non GK option being Elgoods Mortal Wombat (£3.20) on my trip. Bury St Edmunds might be local but given that GK have such a predominance in the area ,it was disappointing to see three of their beers at what is puported to be a freehouse. I felt that the pub lacked atmosphere and was functional at best,although given the location I am sure in good weather the owners will coin it in.

Official site of the Five Miles Inn - www.fivemilesinn.com

Official site of the Five Miles Inn - www.fivemilesinn.com