Old Town Hall Vaults (The Backies), Whitchurch

Solid-looking side-street building with a two-part, 'L'-shaped bar area featuring many of the usual (faux-)traditional Joules accoutrements, but all well done in mostly light wood. Five handpumps, with four of their beers together with Pardoe's Dark Swan (£3.00) as a guest. Altogether, a decent spot for a pint.

Inside it is a kind of zig-zag shape formed of three interconnected parlour style areas, bar on the inside corner with the area to the front quarry tiled. The side area is stone flagged and the part to the rear is boarded. Boarded and panelled walls, partially boarded ceiling, there is a nice old cast iron fireplace containing a wood burning stove. Décor includes old advertisements, a big Joules mirror and other Joules promotional matter. Locally known as "The Backies" after a former street name, the pub is of a type rarely seen nowadays, relatively unspoilt and still having outside toilets which a sign informs us are actually Listed. From Joules Brewery there was Pale Ale, Slumbering Monk, Blonde and Calcutta plus Hunter's Pheasant Plucker; Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby was the next guest on. Food served, pub grub staples all at £8.95 but also I noted a new pub one for me and a great idea too, cheese on toast for £3. Pork pie and pickles was £4.95. This is a very nice pub indeed, the best of the four I visited in Whitchurch. The barman and a few huddled around the bar were friendly, immediately chatty and inclusive which gave a good feel for the place straightaway. I'd have no hesitation in returning here.