Sloop Inn, Llandogo, Monmouth

Arrived when the pub was closed - ready to complete a walk and return for post walk celebrations. I was concerned about the parking - with loads of signs threatening £100 fine for none pub users. After confirming that the pub was open today (the Saturday between Xmas and New Year) I was confident I would be able to enter details into the terminal later. Was the first thing I asked of the barman when entering the large single room - with roaring open fire. Oh, we dont bother turning that on was the reply! I'll let you know if I am a tonne in the hole in the new year. Lunchtime - and two other tables occupued. A father with his adult son and a couple of ramblers with a dog. Food was offered - with several options from a lunch menu, to a larger meal menu and a specials board. Single cask on - Tribute - which was in reasonable condition.

The Sloop Inn is the only pub in the village of Llandogo, which enjoys a lovely location next to the River Wye. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite seem to make the most of its location. Being on a main A-road not too far from Tintern Abbey, I'm sure it attracts much passing trade, especially in the summer months. As passing visitors ourselves, we weren't made to feel particularly welcome. The first annoying thing is that parking in the car park on the opposite side of the road from the pub needs to be recorded at the bar to avoid a fine. The ale choice was limited to Tribute and it's a minimum £5 spend to pay with a card, the landlord pointing to a sign at the side of the bar when I dared to pay £4 odd with a card. Interestingly, a local followed me to the bar and paid a similar priced round with their card! So, it's one rule for one and another for others. We'd hoped to eat, but with nobody else eating and the landlady looking as if she'd just finished cooking for the day and settling down for a drink, we didn't bother asking. With the nights drawing in, some lighting in the entrance corridor (and route to the toilets) could have come in useful on our Sunday evening visit. But at least there were some lights in the toilets. About a dozen local drinkers were in, mostly men. I guess if you're a regular, you might enjoy it here. But I can't recommend a visit to an out-of-towner. From our best two pubs of the day, we'd concluded our trip to Monmouthshire with the worst.

Official site of Sloop Inn - www.m.thesloopinn.co.uk

Official site of Sloop Inn - www.m.thesloopinn.co.uk