The Old Mill, Bedford

A traditional stone built pub in the middle of this quiet village, this looks to be quite small from the outside but is end on to the road and is somewhat bigger than expected when you get in. Parking can be a little awkward as there is no pub car park, so the only option is the "main" road outside which is unlit and rather narrow in places. The interior is surprisingly contemporary given the traditional appearance outside. The friendly barman informed me that the pub had been closed for some time, but was rescued and refurbished by new owners a couple of years back. It's actually been done very well and has a pleasant ambience. It's just not the traditional cosy country inn that you may be expecting. A board above the fire-place advertised a forthcoming cinema night. It's split mainly in to two rooms, although there is a smaller room up a couple of steps at the rear. Unusually there is red quarry tiling on the floor throughout the pub. The right hand room contains the bar counter and is presumably the drinking half of the pub. This has some exposed stone walling and cream plasterwork elsewhere. A few pictures are dotted around, many of the local village. A large fire-place was at one end, and a wood burning stove was kept well stocked. There was leather bench seating around the perimeter and a couple of brick pillars, along with a partition that contained some stained glass. The other half was given over more to dining, but had a similar theme decor wise. All the chairs were upright leather affairs and there was also a fireplace here that was well stocked with logs, although not in use on this occasion. The menu itself was very much a "pub grub" affair with options such as Ham Egg & Chips, Lasagne, Sausage & Mash, Pie of the Day, etc., mostly priced at around the £8 mark. My Haddock and Chips with Mushy Peas was a decent dish with a generous portion of tender flaky fish with an unusual (pink!) tartar sauce, and was pretty good value for £9. My only slight criticism would be that it was perhaps a bit greasy. Beers on tap were limited to just Fuller's Front Row and Ruddles Best. A third pump offered GK Olde Trip, but this appeared to have run out. The solitary cider was Aspall's Suffolk.