From comfort food to craft beer: 10 of the cosiest pubs in Bath
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Bath is known for its history and its pubs don’t disappoint. There are plenty of wood-panelled, nook-filled hostelries in which to to lose an afternoon, some with centuries-old features, others serving the best Sunday lunches and comfort food in the city. A newer breed of pubs, however, also aims to please, serving dozens of varieties of craft beer and cider in open-plan spaces designed for socialising.
Centre
The Bell Inn
Robert Plant, Peter Gabriel and Michael Eavis helped support the community buyout of this much-loved Bath institution a few years ago. The no-frills, somewhat bohemian 18th-century pub on Walcot Street is the place to go in the city for regular, free live music. On Sunday lunchtimes and Monday and Wednesday evenings you might hear anything from jazz and blues to folk and roots, and, as the pub says, 'some things we are not sure what to call'. There's also an open mic spot on Thursday evenings, and vinyl DJ sets at the weekend. The beer is good too: options on tap include Abbey Ales' Bath-brewed Bellringer.
Contact: 01225 460426; thebellinnbath.co.uk
Prices: £
Opening times: Mon-Thurs, 11.30am-11pm; Fri-Sat, 11.30am-12am; Sun, 12pm-10.30pm
The Old Green Tree
An appealingly snug and civilised old-fashioned pub in the city centre, not far from the abbey, with charming, small, oak-panelled rooms and an open fire. The talkative locals who love this place say that the beers are always superbly kept. There are also stacks of malt whiskies to choose from – just ask one of the friendly bartenders. It ticks the boxes for everything that you could want from a traditional pub and, as such, food is secondary to its main aims but nonetheless, soup, sandwiches and ploughman's lunches are available (but only at lunchtime). The pub gets packed out on rugby match days.
Contact: 01225 448259; facebook.com/OldGreenTree
Prices: £
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 11am-11pm; Sun, 12pm-6.30pm
The Old Green Tree
An appealingly snug and civilised old-fashioned pub in the city centre, not far from the abbey, with charming, small, oak-panelled rooms and an open fire. The talkative locals who love this place say that the beers are always superbly kept. There are stacks of malt whiskies to choose from also - just ask one of the friendly bartenders. It ticks the boxes for everything that you could want from a traditional pub and, as such, food is secondary to its main aims but nonetheless, soup, sandwiches and ploughman's lunches are available (but only at lunchtime). The pub gets packed out on rugby match days. Address: 12 Green Street, BA1 2JS
Contact:01225 448259; facebook.com
Prices: £
Opening times: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 12-6.30pm
The Star Inn
The most enjoyable traditional pub in Bath can be found on the Paragon. It dates from the 16th century and you can expect cosy, panelled rooms and an absence of music or fruit machines. Try an award-winning hoppy pint of Bellringer, brewed by Abbey Ales, Bath’s oldest brewery. On Thursday evenings, generous free nibbles (mostly cheeses) are laid out on the bar; the first Sunday of the month is quiz night.
Contact: 01225 425072; abbeyales.co.uk
Prices: £
Opening times: Mon-Thu, 12pm-2.30pm; Fri, 5.30pm-12am; Sat, 12pm-1am; Sun, 12pm-12am
The Raven
This quiet pub on cobbled Queen Street is a handy spot for conversation over a pint in central Bath. It has been voted Bath CAMRA’s pub of the year in the past, so there is a good range of ales to choose from, including the honey-like, specially brewed Raven Gold. The pub’s hearty, locally made pies also come recommended, with a variety of classic meat pies on offer as well as a vegetarian option (usually a creamy goats cheese and sweet potato) and a vegan one occasionally too. Most diners sit upstairs leaving the bar to those looking for good-natured supping and chatter.
Contact: 01225 425045; theravenofbath.co.uk
Price: £
Opening times: Mon-Thurs, 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-12am; Sun, 11am-10.30pm
The Bath Brew House
With an on-site brewery and huge vats on show, this large, central venue has a spit-and-sawdust style and a 1960s and 1970s soundtrack. Fairy lights are strung around a huge beer tent out the back. There is live (mostly guitar-based) music every Sunday between 4pm and 9pm and burgers and light bites on the menu if you are desperate for sustenance. It's better, though, to focus on the list of more than 938 different beers. Fans of craft ale will want to take a brewery tour, which take place twice a day at 12pm and 6pm, costing £7.50 per person.
Contact: 01225 805609; thebathbrewhouse.com
Price: £
Opening times: Mon-Thurs 12pm-12am, Fri-Sat 12pm-1am, Sun 12-11pm
Reservations: rarely necessary
The Marlborough Tavern
This gastropub – all reclaimed furniture and autumnal colours – is a popular spot for an afternoon cider and makes a handy stop-off if you have been visiting Victoria Park or the nearby Royal Crescent. At the weekend, it is busy with families wanting lunch after a run around the park's huge playground. The patio garden has lots of benches and is lined with trees. The roast dinners here are a favourite, though there is much more on the menu besides, all freshly prepared. It's dog friendly too – perfect, really, for all sorts of parklife.
Contact: 01225 423731; marlborough-tavern.com
Prices: ££
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 9am-11pm; Sun, 9am-10.30pm
Reservations: Advisable for Sunday lunch
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East of Pulteney Bridge
The Boater
The Boater is just a few steps from Ponte Vecchio-inspired Pulteney Bridge. An attractive webbed bay window welcomes you into a small but pleasant pub, with steps that lead down to one of Bath’s few large beer gardens, though it’s more of a yard, set beside Bath’s horseshoe-shaped weir. This is a Fuller’s pub so come here for the lager, craft beer and ale - wine and cocktails are not a speciality, though there is often some home-infused gin to try. This is a good place to be on a rugby or football match day.
Contact:01225 464211; boaterbath.co.uk
Price: £
Opening times: Mon-Thu, 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat, 11-12pm; Sun, 11-10.30pm
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North
Hare & Hounds
High up on the very northern edge of Bath, this Victorian pub with a modern makeover (think oversized paintings of cows on walls) enjoys magnificent, long-reaching views of the countryside. The scene is best appreciated from the tables on the outdoor terrace and the many picnic benches laid out on the lawn. The food is the other big draw – the Hare & Hounds is one of Bath's leading gastropubs. It keeps things winningly straightforward, in the form of home-made burgers, fish and chips, pork belly, steaks, roasts on Sundays, and sticky toffee pudding and local Marshfield ice-cream. The place is popular with families and dog owners.
Contact: 01225 482682; hareandhoundsbath.com
Prices: ££
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 8am-11pm; Sat, 9am-11pm; Sun, 9am-10.30pm
Reservations: recommended
King William
This cosy, small-scale pub serves excellent, seasonal British food using local suppliers, including fantastic Bertinet bread. You can dine at one of the half-a-dozen tables in the diminutive front and back bar rooms, or, Wednesday to Saturday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes, up the steep stairs in the simple but attractive dining rooms. Come for superior pub grub or more elaborate dishes such as roast lamb rump with Moroccan-spiced aubergine and rosti potatoes, and a Hobnob and espresso cheesecake for dessert. The traffic on the road outside detracts from the atmosphere slightly.
Contact:01225 428096; kingwilliampub.com
Prices: ££
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 12pm-3pm and 5pm-11pm; Sat, 12pm-12am; Sun, 12pm-11pm
Reservations: recommended
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Chapter One
Craft beer connoisseurs, hipsters and locals are all well-served at this super-friendly pub among antique shops on the revitalised London Road, just north of the centre. Art is exhibited on walls and the stacks of board games add a homely touch. The real draw, however, is the huge list of artisan beers, including eight or so fruity sours. Even the soft drinks menu consists solely of independents, including Karma Cola made from Sierra Leone cola nuts.
Contact:chapteronebath.co.uk
Price: £
Opening times: closed Mon-Tues; Wed-Fri, 5pm-11pm; Sat 2pm-11pm; Sun, 2pm-10.30pm
