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Detail Pages
The Blue Bowl, Bristol
West Harptree
Postal town: Bristol
BS40 6HJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
E TA left this review about The Blue Bowl
An unspoilt country pub in a remote part of North Somerset. There is a large car park and some outside seating, relatively quiet and in a nice setting near the reservoir. There are two main bar areas at the front and car park side, both with wooden floors, and there is a small snug at the rear with a dart board, woodburner and TV screen. The staff were welcoming and attentive, and our dogs were looked after as well as us. Food was basic pub grub in good portions, freshly prepared, at reasonable prices. Ales on were Butcombe Original and Doombar, plus there were two dry pumps. There was a box of Stan’s Cider on the bar. Also available were Guinness, two from Thatcher’s, Aspall’s Cider, Foster’s and Peroni. I’d be happy to come back.
On 30th April 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3754 recommendations about 3714 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Blue Bowl
Large attractive looking pub, on the main road just along from the lake. Good to see that it's back to it's proper name, it went through a phase a few years back of being called The Tickled Trout which I always thought was rather daft. The pub's a mix of several different areas, with a decent sized bar area at the front with a suitably “country pub” feel to it with some comfy leather sofa's, smaller bar area off to the right and a large restaurant area overlooking the garden. The garden itself is a good size, and a popular spot on a nice summer's day.
Good choice on the menu, with quite a few specials on the board as well. Food was a bit of a mixed bag really – nothing particularly wrong with it, but nothing very memorable either. Portions were generous, but the meatballs and pasta came with a salad which seemed odd, and Mrs. Blackthorn was none too impressed with the garlic bread. Most of the mains hovered around the £9 and this seemed a bit expensive for the food that we got.
Beers on this occasion were London Pride and Wickwar's BOB. I walked out of this pub many years ago as the only cider they had on was Strongbow – it was good to see that they took my objections on board, and they now have a wider, if slightly uninspiring choice, namely Blackthorn, Olde English, Gaymer's Original & Gaymer's Pear.
On 15th April 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2113 recommendations about 2011 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rod Ward left this review about The Blue Bowl
large foody pub near to Chew Valley Lake, large garden includes childrens play area
On 11th August 2004
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 5 recommendations about 5 pubs]