The Street Inn, Street

This Stonegate Pub was closed when I went to take a lunchtime look and had an ominous sign on the outside of the building advertising for a publican. It doesn’t look like a permanent closure but wasn’t functioning for my visit.

A decent town pub unspoilt by the ravages of the rapacious Clark's-goers, at the entrance to the High Street. The layout is traditional – public bar, lounge, games room and a good size garden hidden from view. The public bar is basic, Spartan decoration and is meant for drinkers. There are some wooden seats and a couple of tables, newspapers are available to read on the bar, and the conversation is – well, street talk. Off this bar is the games room, which has a pool table and TV screen. On the other side of the pub is the lounge bar, which is more comfortably furnished. The garden was full of families, but they were locals, and the atmosphere was welcoming. The landlord was friendly, chatty and very welcoming. Food was basic pub grub, locally sourced and very reasonably priced. Two ales on, Butcombe's Bitter and Doombar, both in good condition, and there was a boxed cider. It's a basic, no-frills local which makes a very welcome change from some other nearby establishments and is right up my street.

On my only visit I walked in with no preconceptions but almost immediately turned round and walked out. The Lantokay 'spoons down the road has all the visiting chavs, but this is where all the local yokel chavs congregate. Just walking in the door was not a pleasant experience. One to avoid!