The Chain Locker, Falmouth

Pretty well what you would expect from an old harbourside pub: low-ceilinged with lots of woodwork covered in nautical junk. there is a very large outdoor area of tables out on the quayside, but beware the seagulls if eating. Upstairs has been nicely modernised, with a dining area and a separate restaurant with its own bar and superb views, which can be hired for functions. Draught ales mainly from St Austell/Bath but including Betty Stogs and also draught ciders.

Another of Falmouth's harbourside pubs, this place is perhaps best placed to offer great views across the estuary, given its position adjacent to Custom House Quay. The pub has an L-shaped layout, with the servery, to the right on entry, running in a similar shape. You enter into a bare boarded room with a nice little seating area to the front giving some great views out across the Quay. This seating extends past the bar area, mostly in the form of stools made from barrels and standard chairs. The servery is fitted out in dark wood, complimenting the floorboards and wood panelling that runs throughout the pub and helping, with the assistance of some muted lighting, to create a warm, traditional feel where you can easily imagine sailors, fishermen and other such locals enjoying themselves over the years. The walls have been decorated with all sorts of maritime themed photos, paintings and bric-a-brac whilst the ceiling boasts a collection of ship's wheels, life rings and flags of all different varieties. The temptation to pursue a maritime theme must be strong in such a location and could quite easily come across as very contrived, but this stuff looks like it's been here for donkey's years, lending an authentic feel to the whole set-up. Further to the rear, there is a second bar area with lots of ciders available and a nice raised seating area with pews and regular chairs under walls covered with old naval charts, knot displays and photos of shipwrecks. A large TV screen was turned off during our visit in favour of some background music that was lost under the low rumble of chatter through the pub. This is a St Austell house and their beers dominated the handpulls, with Tribute, HSD, Harvest Moon and Cornish Bitter available alongside two guests from Bath Ales - Barnsey Bitter and Special. The barmaid was very friendly and served up a good pint of the Harvest Moon - a beer I'd not tried before but found to be a very drinkable malty brew, ideal on a tempestuous Winter's evening. This pub may lack the beer choice of some of Falmouth's more celebrated ale houses but I thought they kept their beer very well and could easily imagine spending an evening here working through the St Austell range. I found the place to be full of character with a warm and welcoming atmosphere and of course those fine views, making it a worthy port of call when in the town centre.