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Picture of The Packhorse
Image posted by Jonathan Wilde
Submitted on Tuesday, 8th April 2014
With picture contributions to 4509 other pubs
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The Packhorse, Bath

Pub added by elizabeth mcgraw
Old School Hill
Southstoke
Postal town: Bath
BA2 7DU
Correct details

Served areas

Reviews of The Packhorse (Average Rating: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.


E TA left this review about The Packhorse

As described by others this is a bit of a gem, though without a map or satnav you might have a problem finding it. The car park can best be described as tight – getting a Landrover out proved interesting with the cars parked outside the entrance. Two ales on, Butcombe Original and Otter Ale both past their best. Also available was Laguanitas IPA on keg plus Guinness, a couple of Thatcher’s and two premium lagers. The young staff were helpful, and it all felt very convivial, but given the beer quality and location, I’m not sure I’d make the effort come back here especially, though I’d be very happy to drop in if passing.

On 14th February 2023 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3272 recommendations about 3237 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Blackthorn _ left this review about The Packhorse

As Jon has mentioned below, this has recently been bought by the local community having closed about six years ago and subsequently sold to a property developer. I believe over £1,000,000 was raised making it one of the biggest shared ownership buyouts so far. It’s certainly great to see it re-open again after such a long spell when many people must have given up on it.

It can be approached either from the road at the front or down a lane at the back, and from either side it looks a very attractive old building. It’s clearly had an extensive refurbishment inside, and whilst this is largely sympathetic to the buildings origins, it didn’t have the cosy and rustic charm that I was expecting. I didn’t visit it prior to the closure though and don’t know what state of repair it was in prior to the reopening. The pub consists of two rooms downstairs either side of the bar counter, and these had broadly similar décor styles with painted stone walls and large stone fireplaces. The one to the left had black boards on the floor, whilst the one to the right had quarry tiles and a low black beamed ceiling. Pretty much all tables downstairs were laid up for food, and with the staff all wearing smart uniforms I was beginning to wonder if I had wandered in to a gastro-pub.

Two further rooms upstairs again follow a broadly similar style, one with black boards on the floor and salmon paintwork, the other with some hessian carpet and generic country prints on the walls. Although there were a few people eating up here too, it didn’t look so food orientated and we managed to find a table to perch on. This overlooked the rear garden which looked to be a pleasant spot for the warmer weather with freshly laid turf and plenty of picnic benches.

Beers on tap were Daggers Ale from the local Three Daggers brewery and Kettlesmith Faultline which is a new one on me. Ciders meanwhile were the local Honey’s and Thatcher’s Gold.

On 11th April 2018 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1937 recommendations about 1850 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Jonathan Wilde left this review about The Packhorse

2018 Update. Now reopened after being saved by the community who raised enough money to buy off the previous owner who was trying to convert to a house.

The car park is small so if visiting before doubling back on yourself to head down to the pub and spot a space I suggest stopping and walking the last 100m.

The pub itself has two rooms downstairs either side from when you enter with the bar straight ahead to the left with first room off to the right which contains about 6-8 tables which on my Saturday afternoon visit were all in use or awaiting people to arrive for 13.45 reserved tables.

The second room is entered from turning left on entry again with a similar number of tables with the 3 available tables also reserved for 13.45 for diners.

After being served I thought the only place to sit was the beer garden which has more than 10 tables outside with those to the left hand side offering pleasant views across the dip through the village.

After my friend returned from the toilet he informed me that there was actually two upstairs rooms which I had noticed due to a light being on so was pleased to here it was additional seating. These are both characterful with antique furniture and nice original features of fireplaces and wonky windows.

Overall I suspect the pub is attracting a lot of visitors due to reopening less than a month ago and if not eating it may be prudent to plan a visit not around weekend meal times.

There was real ale on which I noted as being Three Daggers from https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/41987/ brewery pub not too far away. Cider appeared on tap from Honeys of Midford but I have seen this in other places where it comes from a coopered barrel.

Overall a good return of a pub with a passionate community to retain their pub.

2014

If you venture near the place you will see sign after sign relating to Save the Packhorse and attempts to buy are ongoing http://southstoke.net/

On 7th April 2018 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 365 recommendations about 347 pubs]

External web links for The Packhorse

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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by Jonathan Wilde
Bath Spa, 2.67 miles, 51 min walk (show)
Oldfield Park, 3.02 miles, 58 min walk (show)
Freshford, 3.48 miles, 1 hr 7 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Packhorse, Southstoke
14th Feb 2023, 07:48
Review submitted by E TA
 
11th Apr 2018, 12:44
Review submitted by Blackthorn _

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 15 December 2022 by E TA
  • Beer Garden : Yes last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • CAMRA Discount : No last updated 15 December 2022 by E TA
  • Car Park : Yes last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • Child Friendly : Yes last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • Darts : No last updated 15 December 2022 by E TA
  • Function Room : Yes last updated 15 December 2022 by E TA
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • Jukebox : No last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • Live TV Sports : No last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • Micropub : No last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • Pinball : No last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • Pool Table : No last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • Real Cider : Yes last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • Wheelchair Access : No last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
  • WiFi : Yes last updated 07 April 2018 by Jonathan Wilde
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