The Charlton Kings Club, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham

Large village club that was very busy on our Saturday evening visit. A steward was on the door, but let me in as a CAMRA member and non-regular visitor. There are a couple of rooms on the ground floor, with further space upstairs. We were directed to a large bar on the right-hand side, as the steward knew I was after real ales. Although, I think the other ground floor room would have stocked the same ales (not sure about upstairs). A band was just setting up and there were quite a few members already awaiting the music. It seemed like a rock band to me, which didn't look like it might appeal to the demographic. But we didn't stick around long enough to find out as children have to be out by 9pm (I had mine in tow). We could also hear separate music from the room above. Ales on at the bar were Sharp's Doom Bar, Thornbridge Gold, Ramsbury RPA & Black Sheep Respire. I thought that was quite a good range for a club and my RPA was good. Before leaving, we had a further chat with the steward, mainly about local pubs and beers. He was recommending a few other local pubs which I'd already been to. I thought this was a friendly, welcoming place that is clearly a real asset to the local community. As we were driving off, I'm sure I saw that the nearby Merryfellow Inn was closed and boarded up, which could partially explain why the club was so busy. Although I can't be 100% sure as it was dark and I note that every site still appear to show it open.

As Helen mentions, flashing your Camra card gives you free entry and although rather club-like the main bar area is, a regular of Butcombe Bitter and three rotating guests - on my visit, well-kept halves of Titanic Lifeboat, Bingham's Hot Dog Chilli Stout and Thornbridge Crackendale - at a bargain £4.43 in total, means this is worth a double-up with Cheltenham's other lauded club, the Cheltenham Motor Club. I was the youngest in here by a country mile and got a few stares from the locals, but the above plus friendly service to boot means this is a welcome alternative to the frenetic Royal the other side of the churchyard.

Official site of The Charlton Kings Club - www.charltonkingsclub.co.uk