George III Hotel, Dolgellau

Standing as this pub does beside the former Penmaenpool station and the disused line towards Barmouth, the passing of a train cannot have been ignorable in pre-Beeching days. The train must have been literally within touching distance of the front of the hotel. There's a bar under the colonnaded front, but this was not open at the time of my visit so I entered the upper floor by the door at the side and found my way past reception to the Welsh Dresser bar. This is a pleasant room with other rooms off it, all featuring lovely old furniture, with pride of place going to the piece out of which the bar has been fashioned (see photo). It was something of a let-down to find that the beers on the bar were from Robinsons: Wizard was one option, the other being Cwrw'r Draig Aur which translates as Golden Dragon Ale but was in fact Hartleys Cumbrian Way, according to the bar manager. Anyway, it was a pleasant enough beer, but I like to be able to drink local ales when on my travels. The beer aside, this seems like it would be a pleasant place to stop a little longer: the lounge across the corridor from the bar had a massive inglenook fireplace, though the fire was not lit.

A historic imposing former railway pub dating from the mid-17th century spread over two drinking floors with a dedicated dining area and spectacular views over the Barmouth estuary and to the mountains beyond. This is something of a tourist area so expect a clientele drawn mainly from incomers and hikers renting local cottages. There is also a rather grand hotel bar with large fireplace; there are at least two other fireplaces. The range of beers is minimal though the three draft ales (London Pride and two from the local Bragdy Mŵs Piws) were fine. Despite its presentation, a Sunday roast buffet (£9.95) was surprisingly good, with meat sourced locally from Arthog. The staff were very friendly and service was efficient - if I were in the area again I would certainly return but this pub loses a point due to movies blaring from a large tv in the lower bar; not at all restful or conducive to conversation.