The Free Press, Cambridge

We searched this one out because it was not far from our accommodation but primarily because a colleague had bet me that, although a GK tied house (like most of the rest of Cambridge City area), it would be a pub I would choose to return to for the Ale choice. And that was a challenge I just had to follow through on. The pub dates back to 1823 and is named after a local temperance newspaper of the same name which had lasted one issue. The walls are adorned with front pages of old newspapers to commemorate this. Internally it is quite small, but now one open space with a part set as a dining area, with the exception of a very small separate snug room which retains the original wood panelled décor. Apparently local students entertain themselves by seeing how many they can squeeze in the Snug room. The current record stands at 62. Then there is a decent sized secluded garden space with wooden tables and chairs and a couple of bench tables out front of the pub. And I have to say my colleague won the challenge. As well as three GK brews, which includes the excellent but rare XX Mild as standard along with the ubiquitous IPA and Abbott, there are three guests on offer. The XX Mild was top notch as was the St Peters Bitter guest ale. With the excellent Elm Tree just around the corner its very good to see a GK tied Landlord fight his case to be able to compete and offer his customers some choice and move more GK beers as a result. If only the bean counters in Bury St Edmunds could show this initiative on their own. So, will conclude I can recommend this GK house for a visit due to the beer choice.

A small and cosy Greene King house which nonetheless is of interest due to serving up XX Mild and (on my visit) a lovely guest in the form of St Austell Proper Job in oversized glasses. There are two small rooms and a traditional feel to the interior, enhanced by the use of the traditional ceramic GK fonts on the handpulls. Situated in a residential side street, barely a stone’s throw from the fabulous Elm Tree, this is worth a visit.

Pleasant friendly and well preserved traditional old town pub. We sat in the small snug area behind what I believe was once called a "snob screen"? Fairly bland ale selection, ie GK but they did have XX Mild which is new to me. A nice touch on leaving the staff gave us a boxed pint glass each. Another very enjoyable Cambridge town centre boozer.