River & Rail, Bridgnorth

Everywhere is worth another chance. Caught the ferry across the river from the path that leads from the station and down past the Unicorn. We timed it completely wrong because the kayaking club got in us before us and we could barely set foot through the door. People were stood around without much inclination to move aside and let you through and the bar staff were occupied with taking food orders. I understand from a local that this is the norm between 12 and 1 at weekends. The bar area is tight, the other room is set aside for diners. After surveying the ale – one Hobson’s handpull – we decided we weren’t going to bother battling it out and caught the next steam train to Highley.

A short ferry crossing from the Hampton Loade Severn Valley Railway stop is probably the best thing about this pub (you can get there by road though). It's OK, clean and friendly, probably geared towards food with typical selection of keg beers and one cask, Hobson's Twisted Spire, which was fine although a lot paler than my usual choice. I wouldn't make any special effort to go back here because there are other places along the SVR line offering a better choice of cask ale.

Official site of the River and Rail Country Inn, contains menus - www.theriverandrail.co.uk

Official site of the River and Rail Country Inn, contains menus - www.theriverandrail.co.uk