Five Mile House, Cirencester

Situated off the main A 417 between Cirencester and Gloucester, on a road that used to be the main Roman route from London to Wales, but is now a relatively quiet country lane, is The Five Mile House, a 300 year old Cotswolds former coaching inn, which is listed in CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. The main bar features flagstoned floors, wooden seating, low beamed ceilings and a small bar counter. A splendid curved high backed settle effectively divides the bar into two, creating a separate cosy tap room on the left with an old stove. A Georgian extension to the original building acts as a dedicated dining room. Downstairs from the main bar, accessed via an unmarked black oak door, is a downstairs snug and, down a further few steps, a cellar bar. The pub leaflet on the bar is at pains to point out that ”as a traditional pub, we only serve food to the table. Please go to the bar for drinks”. However, since my previous visit a good number of years ago, the pub has evidently become much more food orientated and, on my recent Sunday lunchtime visit, it was clear that the establishment was effectively a restaurant in all but name. The downstairs snug and cellar bar tables were laid out with place mats etc for diners and the main bar area was effectively little more than a waiting area for groups to meet up and congregate for a pre meal drink. Pre booked families and groups were turning up in droves and access to the small bar counter to get served required persistence and the surreptitious use of elbows. Having got served, I retreated to the outside wooden smokers shelter, which appears to act as an unofficial locals bar. The pub leaflet also tells us that a new couple, Jon and Jo, have taken ownership of the inn and that “Jon can usually be found in the bar ensuring the beer is in good condition”. On my recent visit, it must have been his day off as the Hobsons Best Bitter served up was true vinegar. The fluffy young barmaid initially frowned at my pulled face and request to change it, but, having taken a sip herself, did quickly concede – “Hmm, I can see where you’re coming from”. The Dorothy Goodbody’s Golden Ale was somewhat better. A third beer, which I think was Wickwars Coopers WPA, was also on. The pub is listed in the 2011 CAMRA Good Beer Guide. This was a very disappointing visit and, unless you’re here for food, it’s definitely best avoided then. However, the main bar area still retains charm and character and a midweek visit might prove to be a much better all round experience.

Great food and the now annual Christmas venue for the nurses of the Natioanl Star College!