Hop Pole Inn, Bath

Whether it is the 15th-century inn it claims to be or not, this attractive building in the local stone certainly looks the business (both inside and out). There are two doors under the central archway, indicated 'Food' and 'Drink' by a hand-written notice. Opting for the latter, I found a compact bar that is entirely panelled in dark wood (including the ceiling). There is another small room to the rear plus the larger two-part bar / dining room on the other side of entrance. As you would expect, the furniture is also of the traditional sort. Three real ales on handpump: Doom Bar, Castle Combe Bybrook Bitter and the 'house' Hop Pole Gold from Moles (£3.60).