The Waldegrave Arms, Bristol

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Blackthorn _ left this review about The Waldegrave Arms

Tucked somewhat about of the way in this pleasant village, it’s certainly not somewhere you’re going to stumble across by accident and it was populated almost entirely by locals on our recent mid-week visit, who whilst all clustering around the bar making it slightly tricky to get served, did at least all seem friendly enough. It’s had a change of ownership and something of a refurbishment since my last visit, and whilst I always thought of it as a cosy old country pub, it was perhaps getting a little tired and they have done a good job in keeping much of the original charm whilst at the same time freshening it up and making feel a little more contemporary.

Internally it’s divided in to three rooms, one of which, known as the stable, has only opened since the renovation work having been previously used as an office. This was quite cosy with a brick tiled floor and contrasting walls of cream and mustard plasterwork. Otherwise the layout is largely unchanged, although there is now only one bar counter with the smaller one facing the end bar now housing a PC for managing bookings and a coffee machine. Décor wise it is fairly traditional, with plenty of thick wooden beams on the ceiling, some sections of exposed stone walling and a mixture of smart slate tiles and wood strip flooring replacing the carpet that I recall previously, as well as old flagstones in the entrance corridor. The larger bar at the far end was largely geared up as a restaurant with all tables being laid up for food. This has a couple of fireplaces at either end and one of these had a few logs burning away in the stove. The smaller lounge bar was broadly similar in terms of décor with another fireplace and high bench style tables.

The food menu offered a decent selection of pub grub dishes such as gammon egg & chips, cod & chips, burger, fish pie, etc., although these were a step or two up from your normal pub prices with most of the main courses coming in at around the £13 mark. I went for a Pork Belly with Apple Mash from the small specials board, and whilst this was a decent enough, I thought it was a little on the small side, especially given the £13.95 price point. Across the table a lasagne was also well received, although again, perhaps a little steeply priced with the (admittedly very good) triple cooked wedges somewhat overshadowing the main ingredient.

Beers on tap were Old Empire IPA, Sharp’s Atlantic and Otter Ale, whilst the ciders were Thatcher’s Gold, Thatcher’s Haze and Magners Dark Fruit. Overall I quite liked it here, it’s always been one of my favourite pubs and it’s good to see it re-open again after a slightly difficult history of late.

On 17^th October 2018 - rating: 8
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