Ken Bridge Hotel, Castle Douglas

I broke my car journey from the Lake District to the Highlands last year by staying at the small but very pleasant camp site on the river bank beside this pub. Facilities consist of a room with toilet, wash basin and shower which is left open when the rest of the pub is locked up at the end of the evening session. The pub itself consists of a bar with separate dining room and games room. The bar counter was partly obscured by one of those large perspex screens that were everywhere a year ago, but I was able to see one of the two hand pumps with a pump clip on, serving Born in the Borders Foxy Blonde. There were a few keg taps (Belhaven Best, Tennents lager, Guinness and a cider) and some bottles (Abbot, Old Speckled Hen and three Scottish beers that I didn't note the names of). Looking around the bar room, there were black beams and horse brasses, bare stone walls and a stone floor that seemed to be reconstituted stone; seating consisted of settles and stools with tartan upholstery. The outside seating area was pleasant, though I was puzzled by the river, whose depth of water changed in what I correctly identified as an unnatural way, clearly not tidal; it was only when driving up the valley next day that this was explained: a hydro-electric dam. I wouldn't mind coming back another time, as the camp site is handy and the location, as I said, very pleasant. Date of visit: 18th September 2020

Official site of Ken Bridge Hotel - www.kenbridgehotel.co.uk

Official site of Ken Bridge Hotel - www.kenbridgehotel.co.uk

I have stayed at this hotel a few times, and have always had a top notch experience. The rooms are clean, the people are wonderfully friendly and welcoming, and the food is out of this world. I absolutely love this place and would recommend it to anyone.

Great location next to the river Ken. 2 ales on handpull. Fine beer garden outside.