The Orchard , Weston Central, Weston Super Mare

Recently re-opened under a new name, this is a corner pub that looks large from the outside, but isn’t quite as big as you might expect once you get in being quite narrow. The colour scheme is very dark with black wooden boards on the floor and dark grey paint on the walls which lends a slightly gloomy feel to the place. Only some mustard paintwork here and there adds a splash of colour, but there didn’t seem to be much in the way of atmosphere. It consists of one long bar along the front of the pub with a smaller area off to one side. Seating options consisted of wooden benches around the perimeter and a number of stools, so if a few of you wanted to sit round a table your options were limited with just one chessboard table. Most of the punters were all huddled around the bar. There were a number of black and white photographs and countryside drawings on the wall, but little else of any note. Despite four hand pumps on the bar, only one was in use dispensing Caledonian’s XPA. Cider’s were better represented with Blackthorn and Thatcher’s Traditional, and two ‘fridges behind the bar were full of cans of Natch and Thatcher’s Gold. Prices seemed reasonable at around £2.20 a pint.