Nelsons Head, St. Ives

A Greene King pub in a shopping street, refurbished in a sort of gastro style but without any attempt to actually be a gastropub. Bare floorboards, dark walls and painted wood do not do much for the overall feel of the place. The interior is semi-divided into three areas, with the bar and main action in the front one. There is a small smoking area to the side and a garden signed to the rear. A couple of guest ales are present alongside the usual GK stuff, but condition was only average.

A Greene King pub but featured in the GBG as it offers guests beers besides the GK crap.Good exterior but refurbed inside with little nod to history.Initially there are lots of high tables,then a semi circular high banquette,before a section with a victorian fireplace left as a feature only before a seating booth arrangement then a beer garden with more seating booths in wicker.Overall much larger than it looks from the street. The vibe is of a slightly rough town boozer,the young barstaff playing awful hip hop just a bit too loud,a punter on the only bar stool swaying too much and another local trying to convince us that GK Abbott is a magnificent brew ,then trying to provoke a reaction by his dismissive attitude to the Oakham Inferno we had all chosen. The ale choice was GK IPA,Old Golden Hen,Abbott with guests Oakham Inferno (decent) and Nene Valley Egyptian Cream.I suspect this is a Local Hero's lease so expect as many guests as GK offerings. I prefer to drink in the company of like minded souls,so we all departed after a solitary pint.

This is a Greene King pub that has seen the light and started doing beers from local breweries as well as the Bury dross. It's an old pub in a narrow street in the centre of St Ives. Inside it's a rectangular room with a wooden floor and the bar on the left. The room extends back with a decked area on the left. There is a juke box and live music advertised. A small TV was showing silent news. The bar has eight hand pumps which had one unused, a local cider, GK IPA, Old Golden Hen & Abbot, Nene Valley Blonde & Egyptian Cream and Oakham JHB. I went for the Egyptian Cream (£3.70) which was in excellent nick. This is well worth a visit.