The Belle Vue, High Wycombe

This is a nice and cosy little street corner pub, tucked away down the backstreets close to High Wycombe station. A two room layout sees a traditional main bar with wooden floor and several painted dark beams criss-crossing the walls and ceiling. The room and bar counter are L-shaped, with banquette seating opposite the side of the bar that houses the handpulls and few standard tables and chairs round the corner where the keg fonts are hidden. At the front of the pub there is a small alcove where a dartboard has been hung, but there was a table and chairs in front of it, so I'm not sure it gets much use. Further back is an upright piano and there is also access to a rather unkempt beer garden at the rear of the room. A large open fireplace served the main bar and the adjoining lounge - effectively a small room fitted out with some smart furniture including some leather sofas. I spotted some board games and a book swap in this room as well, but didn't get a good look round as it was pretty much full on my Saturday lunchtime visit. A good range of predominantly micro-brewery beers were available on handpull, with a choice of Adnams Southwold Bitter and Broadside, Castle Rock Elsie Mo, Tring Blonde (£3.30), Bear Great Bear and Whittlebury Nomad Dusk. There were also three Weston's ciders available in the shape of Old Rosie, Traditional Scrumpy and Country Perry. A healthy collection of pump clips were on display around the servery suggesting that the ales are rotated on a regular basis. The Tring Blonde was in good shape but it was spoiled a little by being served too cold. This is a classic backstreet ale house and one that I'm glad I made an effort to search for. With the equally appealing Bootlegger opposite the train station, it's difficult to know which direction to take when getting off the train in High Wycombe. This place will certainly be put down for a revisit.

Its a while since I have visited High Wycombe for a pint but after reading about the Belle Vue in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide I was not disappointed. The traditional street corner pub is just yards from the exit from the railways stations London bound platform. If this exit is shut then it is a long walk round. Service was quick and with a smile in this opened up one room pub. There is a good range of ales available and the pint of red Squirrel Stout was very well kept. Will definitely be back again.

I second the motion presented by April Tony!

Without a doubt the best 'proper pub' in Buckinghamshire and I've drunk in all of them! Fantastic selection of well kept real ales, great atmosphere. Fantastic bands, really, Wycombe's best kept secret. Unpretentious, a great place to unwind after a day's work or just a great place to unwind after unwinding!!