The New Castle, Kewstoke, Weston Super Mare

Official site of the New Castle, contains menu and wine list - www.thenewcastle.co.uk

Having changed it’s name from “The Castle Tavern” to “The New Castle”, it has I suspect, also had a makeover that has pretty much removed any semblance of it ever being a pub. True, there was a couple of fonts on the bar, but that aside this is very much more a café than a pub. In fact it describes itself as a “Coffee Lounge and Wine Bar” which seems a reasonable description. It’s an impressive old building, looking very much like a castle, and has full length windows and a patio area to take in the great views across Sand Bay. The main room is light wooden flooring, red Formica topped tables and light wooden chairs. There's a bar counter with a selection of cakes for sale, and a small freezer for ice cream. On the walls is a minimal amount of artwork and a couple of blackboards, one advertising lunchtime specials and the other forthcoming events such as a Curry Night, Mother’s Day, etc. The food on a recent lunchtime visit was primarily baguettes and jackets, with half a dozen or so specials from the board, such as a Thai Curry, Lasagne, etc. It seems popular and was surprisingly busy on a midweek lunchtime. There is also a very small lounge area with a couple of leather chairs and some low tables, but overall this seems very much a place for light meals, not drinking. Having said that, the guy running it was very friendly and if a café is what you’re after I’d recommend it. Certainly all the punters who were there seemed to be enjoying themselves and the food was receiving positive comments. But I can’t honestly say it’s a pub anymore, so I’m going to refrain from marking it. There were no beers on tap, just San Miguel lager and Thatcher’s Gold cider (which suited me fine!).

Official site of the New Castle, contains menu and wine list - www.thenewcastle.co.uk