The Plough Inn, Bristol

Blackthorn _ left this review about The Plough Inn

A traditional looking pub located just off the A370, it presumably doesn’t get quite so much in the way of passing trade as the two on the main road, but it’s certainly worth making the very short detour to get to, and offers the most traditional pub like environment of all the options in the village, having been finalists in the Bristol & District Camra Pub of the Year on a couple of occasions.

Internally it consists of a few different areas, one room across the front of the pub either side of the entrance way that was presumably two separate rooms at one time, a further room off to the left that is sometimes used for private functions, and plenty of space to congregate around the L-shaped bar counter, as well as a further seating area. There is also a good sized garden at the rear. Décor wise it’s quite traditional, with old flagstones in the centre of the pub around the bar counter, plain carpet at the front and wood strip in the room to the right. Walling was a mixture of exposed stonework in places, with dark brown paint elsewhere, and each of the two front rooms had real fire which are often lit in the colder weather. Various bits and pieces were dotted around including plenty of hops hanging from the ceiling, various farming and agricultural implements, and old cartwheel, old advertising signs, rural life oil paintings and so on.

The menu offered a concise selection of pub grub dishes with options such as scampi & chips, fish & chips, steak, burger and so on, as well as a specials board that might include a pie of the day, chilli or faggots. Food is good value and hearty, although you’re better off sticking to the basics. Whenever they try something like a curry it seems to fall a bit flat, with very little flavour.

Beers on tap were all dispensed from barrels racked up behind the bar, and on this occasion consisted of Twisted Oak Fallen Tree, Cheddar Ales Potholer, Bristol Beer Factory Fortitude, Otter Ale and Otter Head. Ciders meanwhile were all very local with at least three from Thatcher’s – Haze, Dry and Rascal. I think there may have been a fourth, but didn’t clock what that was, although unusually, it’s not Gold, they are currently trialling the Rascal in it’s place. All in all a great pub with a lovely, traditional atmosphere, friendly landlord and a good mix of punters.

On 5^th September 2025 - rating: 9
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