The Lifeboat Inn, St. Ives

This harbour-side pub is nothing like as interesting inside as historic façade suggests, unfortunately... Opened-out at some stage to leave a large 'L'-shaped room that is crammed full of dining tables (which were admittedly doing good business). Generally light decor, with the inevitable nautical theme. As a St Austell house, Trelawney (£3.45), Tribute and HSD were available from three of four handpumps, but you don't get the impression that ale drinkers are really the target market here.

This could be such a nice pub right against the sea wall if it hadn't been totally stippied inside and turned into such a bland large room. These days we walk on past after having very poor service on our last visit despite plenty of staff being visible. Also it is expensive.

A good sized pub overlooking the bay, and appropriately named as it's just a couple of doors down from the lifeboat station. The interior was all a bit of a mismatch, with the ceiling being part painted and part wood panelling which seems so popular in these parts, the walls a mixture of (more) wood panelling in various colours, painted plaster and exposed brickwork and the floors being partly wood (yet again) and partly some late tiles. There was a pool table as soon as you get in, and a few plasma's dotted around, although usefully these were relaying live images of the band on a recent visit. The band in question were a decent heavy metal act called Sinpusher with a full on drum kit and a vocalist that reminded me (visually) of Ian Gillan. Very impressive, although whether this is par for the course, or due to the St. Ives festival that was on this week I'm not sure. Beers on tap were all from the St. Austell's stable, with their Tribute, Proper Job, Tinners and a very pleasant HSD, even if they did elect to serve it through a sparkler (I thought that was what happened up north?). Ciders were Cornish Rattler, and, unusually in these parts, Blackthorn.

This characterless harbourside seems to have sold its soul in the name of tourism with plenty of luring food deal boards outside but lacking any real warmth, charm or intimacy inside. The hugely expanded interior seems to have a more space, more customers approach where numbers are more important than aesthetics or comfort. Multi screen TVs come at you from all angles and the pool table is openly exposed and too much of a focal point. The whole place is just a bland, dull mismatch of décor and furnishings with little attempt to make anything particularly attractive. On the plus side, the window seats command good views of the picturesque harbour and the 3 St Austell Ales (Trinute, HSD and IPA) were decent enough and a bit more varied than some of the other St Austell pubs I encountered on my travels. It's also a bit too family friendly for my liking with screaming kids never far away. Its position means it will always attract people but in my opinion there are far better and more charismatic pubs in the vicinity.