The Lough Pool, Ross-On-Wye

Pub is well described below , very food led , service was good and the locals friendly , only a couple of ales on , my Butty Bach was spot on . I have heard the pub may be closed for a while due to the landlady having a serious illness .

Official site of the Lough Pool Inn with menu - www.theloughpoolinn.co.uk

This award winning quintessential country pub is about 4 miles north west of Ross On Wye and is named after the adjacent pond. The building dates from the 17th Century and has been a pub since 1840 although, despite its reputation, its future did hang in the balance before being taken over in 2011 after a period of closure. The higgledy piggledy exterior shows that the pub comprises of 3 buildings that have presumably all merged together over the years. The rustic interior has flagstoned floors, wood burning stoves and, despite being quite open and rambling, there are enough pillars, low beamed ceilings and cubby holes to keep things relatively intimate, the tiny snug in far cormer of the main bar area with its single table and high backed settle being my pick of the pub. The décor includes various farming tools, horseshoes and brasses. If you can, bag the tiny snug in far cormer of the main bar area with its single table and high backed settle. The area to the rear of the right hand side of the bar contained a dart board. The pub is primarily a dining pub although it isn’t as restaranty as many similar ventures. There were just the 2 ales available, both from Wye Valley (Bitter and Butty Bach) although I gather there is usually a guest beer also. Food was top end traditional pub fare with main courses around £11-£19. Four legged friends do not go without either as there are free dog biscuits on the bar. For a pub with such a glowing reputation I was surprised that it was very quiet for what was peak time on Easter Saturday with both diners and drinkers being few and far between. The weather may have been a factor and I’m sure the attractive garden would be a big hit in the summer but not so on a snowy day in March. Not quite the exceptional place that I was hoping for but it’s a quaint place and certainly worth a visit if in the area.