Prince Albert, Stroud

The Prince Albert is on a steep hill between the town and Rodborough Common. We were having a wander along the Common when it started raining. So, we decided to head to the pub, booking a table along the way, as is required currently. We were instructed to use a foot-controlled hand sanitiser on arrival. This was the first time I'd seen one of these. We were then shown to our table, where we were also intending to eat. The pizzas prepared in the pub were fairly nice. Regular ales are Otter Bitter & Timothy Taylor Landlord. Guests were Bristol Beer Factory Notorious & Independence, Stroud OPA & Purity Mad Goose. I was hoping for a dark beer or a real cider. But sadly, they had neither. As others have stated, there is plenty of modern artwork on the walls. A photograph celebrated the pulling down of statues in Bristol. Toilets are now unisex. There was nothing particular to dislike about this pub. But the beer range and lack of cider was disappointing.

My pint of Stroud Budding didn't touch the sides after walking up the steep hill to this pub. As Blackthorn mentions below, the interior of this pub doesn't reflect the Victorian stone built exterior. The interior is very arty and bohemian, with the brightly painted coloured walls, which is quite fitting for a music venue pub. They had seven handpumps across the bar with four on, Otter, TT Landlord, Adnams Lighthouse and Stroud Budding. The interior is now one large space with the bar facing you as you enter. The right hand side seating area was comfortable with a lit open fire blazing away. On Friday and Saturday nights, they have a Caribbean kitchen, also local bands and musicians feature here on a regular basis.

A traditional looking stone built pub on a corner plot at the top of a long hill, it’s conservative exterior belies a surprising interior which focuses on music and has a quite eclectic selection of bits and pieces as well as some very vivid paint tones. Internally it’s a single, open-plan L-shaped room with the flooring predominantly laid to carpet, although there was some wood strip off to the right and slate effect tiling around the bar counter. The colour scheme was quite vivid as mentioned previously and consisted primarily of mustard, a rather vivid green and a pinky/purple hue and this provided quite a contrast to the stone window frames and leased glass. A piano was at the back next to an old fire-place, and all sorts of knick-knacks were dotted around such as an old camera, binoculars, stone bottles, a silver tea pot on the window sills as well as some old black and white band posters and a couple of guitars on the walls. Light fittings too were unusual with numerous chandeliers and frilly lamp shades – no exposed filament bulbs here which makes a pleasant change. Seating was a mixture of wooden benches with scatter cushions, as well as conventional chairs and even a chaise longue in one corner. The music credentials were further emphasised with a small stage area to the left, various speakers and mixing desks as well as an A-board outside listing the forthcoming attractions. There was a good selection of beers on tap with four from the Stroud Brewery – Budding, Redcoat, Beltane Dew and Shadow along with Timothy Taylor Landlord, Otter Ale and Marston’s EPA. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher’s Gold and Stowford Press.