The Bell Inn, Radstock

A 16th Century village pub, very much a working establishment rather than a tourist venue. There is a carpark nearby which is shared with the village hall and other businesses. At the front, by the road, is a collection of seats and tables, more a smoking area than anything else, and there is a secluded garden at the back. Inside, the large L-shaped main bar has stone fireplaces at either end, plenty of tables and chairs, but the tables were sticky. There is a smaller bar at the rear which was unoccupied when we visited. There was a lack of welcome from the staff – the barmaid was more interested in smoking in the back garden than serving, even though she could see us waiting, while the landlord seemed to have forgotten how to smile or speak to customers. Four ales on, all from Wadworth - 6X, Horizon, Swordfish and Henry’s. The ones we tried were in average condition, but they weren’t expensive. On the plus side the pub is very much the hub for this village, and there is a village store as part of the business. As a pub it’s probably fine as a local but it’s not somewhere which appeals.