The Star

The Star, Bath, Somerset BA1 5NA

A four-storey pub of Bath stone standing on a handsome historic street on the north side of the city. While externally imposing, the interior is in fact surprisingly shallow. It remains largely untouched since being remodelled in the 1920s, earning a place on CAMRA’s National Inventory.

On the left-hand side of the door is a cosy lounge with bench seating and wood panelling. To the right, a corridor leads to the bar, featuring a long settle known as “Dead Man’s Row” due to it being favoured by senior customers. Beyond this are two further snugs facing the bar, with more benches and panelling. There are real fires throughout.

For many years, it served Bass from the jug dispensed from casks stillaged beinhd the bar. This was brought to and end when Bass ceased being supplied in the necessary cask size, meaning it has now been replaced by the locally-brewed Abbey Ales Bellringer, although Bass is still available on handpump. The pub is now leased by Abbey Ales and features a couple more of their beers alongside another guest, which on my recent visit was Taylor’s Landlord.

One of the finest unspoilt interiors in the country in a pub of great character and atmosphere.

The Crown

The Crown, Churchill, Somerset BS25 5PP

An old stone-built pub hidden away down a narrow lane in the apex of the junction between the A38 and A368. There are no direction signs at either end, so you would not know it was there unless someone had told you, and the pub itself is identified just by a fading sign on the gable-end.

Inside it has separate lounge and public sides, but all characterised by bare stone walls and flagged floors, contributing to a down-to-earth, rustic atmosphere. There is also a large beer garden at the rear. Up to eight real ales are served by gravity, including Draught Bass, local favourite Butcombe Bitter and their own house beer Batch Bitter brewed by Cotleigh.

Cold food is available at lunchtimes only, including sandwiches, salads and ploughman’s. A highly characterful, distinctive pub that seems to attract a number of middle-class customers from the surrounding area in a way that just would not happen in the North-West.

The Black Horse

The Black Horse, Clapton-in-Gordano, Somerset BS20 7RH

A very old pub, allegedly dating back to the 14th century, tucked away in a narrow village lane close to, but not directly approachable from, the M5. The L-shaped interior has been slightly opened out but retains a wholly traditional atmosphere, with brasses and old wooden settles and a stone-flagged floor. The main bar is dominated by a massive fireplace surmounted by a collection of vintage firearms.

It still has its Courage signing, but now offers a range of beers including Butcombe Bitter, Otter Bitter and Bath Ales Gem together with Courage Best on both gravity and handpump, together with a couple of traditional ciders. I saw old boys in here drinking bright orange cloudy cider on a Monday lunchtime, which must be a good sign. Food is mainly snacks together with a couple of daily specials – it hasn’t been allowed to become a dining pub.

I will be quite honest - this pub is nearly 200 miles away from me, and I have only been there a couple of times, but I don’t think I’ve been in any other that comes closer to my personal vision of the ideal pub.

(Amended 23 September 2016 to replace the original StreetView image with my own recent photo. The pub is thankfully just as good as ever.)