The Compasses, Ludlow

Tris C left this review about The Compasses

Apparently, this pub sits on the site of the town’s oldest inn, destroyed in the Civil War. I expect the frontage is 19th century, but internally there are some seemingly ancient timbers, sadly painted pale grey as part of an overall modern shades of grey and smoky blue colour scheme. The bar back may be Victorian, but the bar itself is certainly newer and is novel in that it features brick nogging. There’s some modern wainscoting, photos promoting Ludlow, multiple games machines and nine TVs showing silent football; this will be the town’s sports bar then. The floor is either modern flagstone or herringbone parquet and furniture is modern, upholstered with chocolate brown vinyl and is very tatty; I feared I may have gone through the seat of my chair. Illumination comes from either recessed ceiling downlighters or filament bulbs in sconces, all to a Sinatra soundtrack; the only item of note is the very grand fireplace to the rear.
Customers amounted to just the one, though it was a Monday at 7.00pm, rendering the pub deathly; the nearby Queens was doing a good trade.
Unlike the neighbouring Bull, there was a cask choice here of Doom or Wye Valley HPA at a very – for Ludlow – expensive £2.30 a half, served by a helpful barman, though it was completely lacking in condition.
Of the troika here, this is the best, but that’s really not saying much.

On 1^st December 2023 - rating: 3
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