We came here on Saturday afternoon to meet with my daughter, her baby, and friends... we hadn't been here since we were students in the very early '80s and so I was very curious to see if it was how i remembered it. It did not disappoint! In many ways it seemed unchanged, which is something of a triumph in this world of tarting up old pubs and doing the unpleasant corporate gentrification job on them... here were still the tight corners and cramped intimate bar with its huge array of real ales on tap - many more than on offer in 1983 when CAMRA really had a job on its hands. How things have improved since those flat-capped days where a good pint was a rarity and pubs were smoke-filled sticky-floored male dominated hangouts!! We remember vividly going up that twisty wooden staircase to the non-smoking room at the top, where the folk music played; as there was no baby changing facilities here for my little grandson, I was pleased to be directed up to this empty top room by a kindly member of staff and there all those lovely memories flooded back as I knelt in front of the fireplace!!

The outside space is brilliant - authentic, spacious, and just lovely to sit in, surrounded by the buzz of conversation. The light rain didn't hurt as there are covered verandas around the edge. Just the sort of place to read the weekend papers!

The pub from the outside is as original as makes no difference, and sits now sorrounded by on-going rejuvination... some workmen were busy laying paving just along the way, and many instrustrial style flats are being built in the area. In summary, I thought it completely fabulous and we will definitely seek it out when next we are in the area. 5 stars very well deserved!