The Old Nags Head, Monmouth

After a brief visit to Monmouth Castle & Military Museum, we ventured a short way out of the town centre to our final stop. This is Monmouth's oldest pub and has several interesting features, with one of its rooms (the Gate Room) being originally part of a medieval tower. The snug at the front had a fair few locals in. But they did not seem quite as friendly as in the Green Dragon at the other end of town. We sat in another room to the rear, where live rugby union was on the TV. There is also a games room with a pool table and a wide corridor providing further seating and leading to a garden. 61 Deep is the regular beer. Guests were Butty Bach & Doom Bar. In common with other Monmouth pubs we visited, the ale range didn't impress me. Indeed, the pub has not been in the Good Beer Guide since Ian Mapp's review back in December, 2017. A pub with some historical interest, but lacking in beer choice and not the friendliest I've ever set foot in.

Lovely old school pub. Wish I had done more research into the history of the pub before coming, as the tower but is on the opposite side to the main entrance. I did go into the tower room from the inside, as I was exploring the nooks and crannies. Beerwise, a Brains House with Rev James the most likely candidate. Only went for a soft drink but I do trust the Good Beer Guide, which has this as an entry. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2C65S3n

A delightful, historic, old world, town pub a few minutes walk from the town centre. The building was part of the now demolished old town gates and although it is erroneously omitted from the 1838 map in the pub, there are records of it dating back to at least 1765. The interior is a labyrinth of rooms, corridors and niches which just beg to be explored. The front bar is quite small and carpeted with a brick fireplace whereas the main bar area is more basic with a flag stoned floor, half paneled walls, built in window seats and rough and ready furnishings. A piano is perched in front of the fireplace and the beams display a vast collection of sporting and music ticket stubs. Old photos of the pub skittle teams through the years adorn the walls. Branching off beside the bar is a corridor which leads to both the toilets and a small intimate arched recess. Another door leads to a pool room with a collection of movie posters and at the far end of the pub a seemingly anonymous short corridor leads to a small triangular room with pew seats and horse racing prints. 2 well kept Ales on offer – London Pride & a special beer brewed for the winter Ashes series (it was a few months since I was there). Live acoustic music nights and plenty of friendly dogs are part of the entertainment schedule. Monmouth is a lovely town to visit and the Old Nags Head a superb pub to savour.