The Bridge, Stone

The Bridge is impossible to miss as one crosses the railway bridge exiting to the north of Stone Town centre. The Lounge Bar is in the left and larger Public Bar the right, to be honest I didn’t note any real distinction between the two other than the size. Standard and premium keg were available and five hand pumps are spread across the two bars. The Doom Bar was off which left St Austell’s Proper Job and TT Landlord as the cask options. I decided to sit in the public bar where high tables are found at the front around the bar counter and standard seating at the rear. The television was off whilst some background music played. I noted a board adverting weekly live Sunday music sessions and a disco karaoke night was advertised for two weeks’ time. The toilets are located downstairs at the rear where a couple of tables are also found alongside a smoking area. Out the back is a car park and at the rear of the car park is a fake grass picnic table seating area. The Proper Job was well served by the polite barman, but I didn’t really take to this place so don’t plan on revisiting.

No longer run by Joules, this pub has reverted to its traditional name and now serves nationally available beers in very good condition. At the time of our visit there were St Austell Proper Job and Timothy Taylor Landlord, though WhatPub also mentions Doom Bar as among the regulars. It was quite busy Friday teatime, with a welcome real fire compensating for the November chill. My pint of Landlord was in very good nick (NBSS 4) and also quite a bit dearer than other beers in Stone - as it is almost everywhere - at £4.30 a pint. Not something I'd complain about when it's as good as this though.