The Trawlerman, Plymouth

The Cider House is a basic single room pub with a small bar counter on the right wall next to a small raised seating area in the front right corner. To the left, faced by the bar, are some old thick wooden tables with a mix of wooden chairs and pew seating. Up on the walls are some old orchard based pictures as well as some saws, scythes and axes. I didn’t spot a television, but there was some very slow background music playing. The four handpumps on the bar were drawing St Austell tribute alongside three ciders, Black Rat Perry, Sandford Devon Scrumpy and Westons Old Rosie. On the keg front were Kronenberg, John Smiths, Fosters and a couple more ciders. The service was very friendly; worth seeking out if a fan of cider, maybe not if more of a beer fan.

This basic town boozer has previously been known as Old Friary Cider House, the Friary Hotel, the Black Bull and the Black Horse, and it remains an excellent cider house. Basic in a spit-and-sawdust way, it’s a wet-led establishment with no frills. The landlord was very welcoming and friendly, and the locals were a convivial bunch. The background music was pleasant, and the atmosphere was enjoyable. On offer were Tribute, Sandeford and Black Rat perry on handpull, plus 12 boxed ciders, all at very good prices for the area. Very much worth a visit and I’d definitely include in a crawl