The Plough, Filton, Bristol

The Plough is set back from the passing main road by a large car park out the front. Through the front entrance is a strip of seating that runs across the front of the pub and is covered by a curved ceiling that is lined with wine bottles. On the right wall is a large television, I’d be surprised if Sky Sports isn’t shown, and to the left is a dartboard and pool table. There is also a jukebox that was playing music that was quite loud for early on a weekday afternoon. Mid-way up the right wall is an L-shaped bar that supports a standard keg range and at least two hand pumps. Sharp’s Doom Bar and Severn Brewing’s Copper Ale were the keg options. Up the left wall faced by the bar is seating and another seating area is found at the rear, with a second pool table that was covered. This space would act as a good dining area, but I didn’t see any food advertised. The service was polite, but I did get eyed up by the mix of sweary builders and Post Office workers as I walked to the bar. The service was polite, but the table I sat at hadn’t seen a wet cloth for many a moon. This isn’t somewhere I’ll be rushing back to.

Previously The French House, this large roadside freehouse has a large car park at the back full of battered vehicles, neighboured by what looks like a temporary home for a few of the local undesirables. The building is characterised by filth, decay and sub-culture. The pub itself has a large, convoluted single bar, vaguely L-shaped across 3 floor levels, the lowest at the front. There is a pool table, cash machine and various gaming machines in the bar, while an intrusive TV blares out from the wall. The faux-vaulted ceiling in the front bit is lined with whole wine bottles, an interesting arrangement. The bar counter is based on some old wooden barrels. There are leaded windows, one suffering the effects of contact with a heavy projectile, at the front. The rear windows have more functional bars on them. The staff were not that friendly, while the locals were either too stunned or too drunk to notice us. Four handpumps on the bar, but none of them active. We were informed that there were 2 ales on, Courage Best and London Pride. We ordered one of each, the barman disappeared and came back with 2 pints of something which wasn't well kept. There is little to draw me back here.

A rough and ready free house with four unrealised pump handles - not that there's the demand here. It's keg-friendly and the stereotypical clientele enforces why. It's shabby-looking from outside, set back as it is from the A38 and next-door to the former Horseshoe pub (now a B&B). Internally, it still retains some character: there are wine bottles embedded into the ceiling in an arched manner between faux beams upon entry and the carpet gives it some homeliness. The bar is L-shaped and the room extends in a rectangular manner ahead via a few steps to a large area used for discos, DJ sets and karaoke - the latter of which was going on during my late Thursday night visit.