Queen's Head, Harpenden

Nope. Empty room to left of entrance, busy-ish public to rt, uncomfortable getting in with most punters crowding between door & bar. Beer quality & service was ok, but just Black Sheep & Spitfire (as opposed to expectation of “a good selection of guest ales”). Two large plasmas to rear were showing different games (sky&setanta), mercifully only one commentary. Grey-clothed pool table to rear right. A little too cramped and locals' local for me.

Official site of The Skew Bridge - www.theskewbridge.co.uk

Official site of The Skew Bridge - www.theskewbridge.co.uk

This pub shut last year, but is now reported in the Hertfordshire CAMRA publication as open again and serving Doombar and Pride.

Lots of scaffolding around the front and side of the building, promoting some "We are open" signage. Inside, there are two fairly basic bars but the customers were all crowded around one of the counters making it unnecessarily difficult to get served. Scrappy little beer garden. Just one real ale (a pretty ordinary pint of Youngs Ordinary at £2.90) plus a draught cider. Perhaps it is starting to be refurbished; it certainly needs smartening up a bit to attract people back for a second visit.

Recently re-opened and whilst it's had a bit of a paint job it does need a bit more. It's in a residential/estate area and has loads of land surrounding it so you do fear that it might not last that long. I hope it does as it's a genuine pub doing what it can to survive. Friendly service and a couple of ales including Youngs Ordinary which was in good condition.