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Detail Pages
Blue Bell, Cardiff
Cardiff
CF10 1PU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about Blue Bell
A traditional looking and fairly narrow fronted pub more or less opposite the castle, it’s quite small inside as well and all seats were taken on our recent Wednesday evening visit.
Internally it’s an upside-down L shape, with the rear area extending slightly further around to the left. Décor wise it’s quite traditional too with sanded wooden boards on most of the floor with some coloured tiling adjacent to the bar counter, and much of the ceiling having some attractive pale woodwork with inlaid dark green panelling which lent it something of an elegant air. Elsewhere the ceiling was a more familiar nicotine yellow whilst the top part of the walls were painted mauve. Much dark wood panelling was in evidence though, forming the bar counter, a large fireplace, moulded sections above the benches with inlaid mirrors and blackboards and in some cases extending out from the walls to form partitions inlaid with etched glass. Seating was a mixture of dark green fitted banquettes around the permitter, along with regular chairs elsewhere and some stools at the bar. A TV screen was showing a darts match which seemed a little out of place perhaps, but fortunately the volume was off so this was not too intrusive.
Beers on tap were their own Blue Bird Ale along with Butty Bach, Santa’s Little Belter and Jemima’s Pitchfork. Two further pumps appeared unused. Ciders meanwhile were Strongbow, Strongbow Dark Fruit and Inch’s Medium. Overall, a pretty decent little pub, and I’d happily pop in again if in the area.
On 23rd December 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1948 recommendations about 1861 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Goat Major
My only previous visit to this pub was back in the 1990s when I recall it having a very thick pile carpet. The L shaped room now has tiled and wooden flooring with comfortable green leather furnishings and wood panelled walls. A TV was showing subtitled news. It was fairly quiet on my Wednesday afternoon visit.
There are seven hand pumps which had one unused that seemed strange as the SA one was isolated further down the bar. The other five Brains beers were Dark, Bitter, Rev James, Cafe Phoenix and Bragging Rights. The latter two are from their "Craft" brewery. The Bragging Rights (£3.45) was not that crafty but was in good nick. I enjoyed visiting here and would return.
On 3rd December 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Goat Major
Well well well, what a let-down. Whilst the interior and range of Brains ales remain the same, there were a number of major downers this time. The stink of egg inside. The loud fan that made a regular and loud ‘clack’ every few seconds. The broken toilet seat in the ladies. The Brains Dark which was as flat as a pancake. Exchanged after a protracted kerfuffle but not taken off. Very disappointed by that, this is meant to be Brains' main ale showcase outlet?? At least its replacement (Gordian) was decent. Oh dear, an embarrassment - has the old Goat gone to the dogs?
June 2009
A laid-back Brains pub by the castle walls, with an inviting mock-Tudor façade. The unusual name is in homage to the handler of the Welsh Guards mascot, a goat; the handler being referred to, of course, as the Goat Major. Three Brains ales on - nothing too exciting mind, just the core range but kept and served in excellent condition. The interior is cosy and kept well with a fairly ornate bar, brass fittings, wood panelling, tiled flooring and plush leather armchairs. There are plenty of items of military and goat memorabilia to keep you amused. An enjoyable place to sup your beer, this was my favourite Cardiff pub on my recent trip and I’d make sure to visit again. Rated 8
On 10th October 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5089 recommendations about 5072 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about The Goat Major
Visited in November 2010
Located down the far end of the High Street, just a stone’s throw away from Cardiff Castle is The Goat Major, a fine welcoming Brains house that has pleasingly remained unspoilt.
Larger inside than it looks from the outside, the interior features a single L shaped bar and a traditionally furnished and decorated interior with much wood panelling, comfortable upholstered seating and a tiled floor contributing to a somewhat old fashioned, austere atmosphere.
The “goat” part of the pub name relates to the mascot of a Welsh regiment which was taken to the Russian front during The Crimean War. There’s various items of goat related memorabilia, including the Goat Major ( the person not the pub |) receiving the British Empire Medal from Prince Charles. There’s also a photo of Henry Cooper with a goat.
On my recent lunchtime visit, the impressive bank of 9 pumps were serving 4 Brains beers – Dark, Bitter, SA and Gold. The Bitter was in good form. The pub is listed in the CAMRA 2011 Good Beer Guide.
Brains pubs are not exactly thin on the ground in Cardiff. The Goat Major strikes me as probably being one of the better pubs in town to sample their beers.
On 16th November 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Goat Major
Smart city centre pub on the High Street and very near the castle.
Dark inside with heavy panelling and leather benches and seats. Feels a bit like a Gentlemans Club lounge, of the toff variety. Tidy, efficient and nice.
3 Brains beers available, well kept
On 8th May 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Goat Major
Clean and cosy Brains pub on the High Street, near Cardiff Castle. I counted nine hand pumps, all of which appeared to be in use - mostly dispensing various Brains ales, but with one or two guests on including something from Brew Dog. The beers were in top condition and the Brains Dark in particular could have kept me going all night. Pump clips on the wall behind the bar suggest that Fullers and St Austell beers have been popular in the past, but a number of less obvious names were on display as well.
The interior comprises of a reasonable sized L-shaped room with plenty of seating including some comfy looking banks of sofas on the rear wall. Service was prompt and friendly and a quick glance at the menu revealed an award winning pie chef in residence who had thought up some unusual combinations to fill his reasonably priced pies with.
The pub's name refers to the Royal Regiment of Wales, who have a goat as their mascot. It appears that the person in charge of taking care of the goat is known as the 'Goat Major'. To illustrate the point, there are loads of pictures of the goat on display around all points of the pub.
On 11th March 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Darren Bestley left this review about The Goat Major
traditional pub, worth a visit makes a change from city centre trendy bars
On 31st December 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 10 recommendations about 10 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
graham dunbavan left this review about The Goat Major
A proper pub not many left these days,
worth a visit if you are in Cardiff.
On 15th December 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 78 recommendations about 77 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Goat Major
Really rather good for a city centre pub - probably sufficiently old-fashioned to keep some of the more disruptive elements out. Four Brains real ales on draught, including a nice pint of Dark.
On 25th September 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB JONES left this review about The Goat Major
i always call here when i am home, there is no better place to be for great beer and food, staff cant do enough for people, i would highly recommend a visit
On 2nd September 2005
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]