The Bells, Staines

This comfortable 18th Century pub is situated opposite St Mary's Church and close to the Thames Path in the lovely Staines Village. We were on our way Sarf of the river to Egham and this pub north of the river was the perfect pit stop.

Regular beers from Wells and Young's are available plus up to two guests. Food looked very good but was very pricey.

We sampled the Tribute and Young's Special. The locals were very friendly and we explained all about our Away Daze and swapped notes on pubs in Peterborough. We of course recommended last seasons pub of the year, The Hand & Heart.

       

Rating 3/5

Floods Tavern, St Ives

The Floods Tavern is an Elgood's Brewery establishment and it was a real disappointment to be visiting on a Tuesday night rather than a Saturday.

The bar features the usual TVs and a real fire and the riverside garden provides free moorings, and amazing views of the St Ives Bridge and Holt Island, unfortunately we were unable to view these as it was already dark on our arrival.

Food seemed a little pricey but the Elgood's beer was top notch. We sampled the Cambridge Bitter (bitter pale ale 3.8% ABV) and the slightly stronger Double Dog (mild 6.5% ABV).

Rating 3/5

Rampant Horse, Needham Market

The Rampant Horse is a freehouse which is a real part of the local community. Food is locally sourced and is the only pub we have visited that sold real ale and real lager.

The Calvors Brewery from down the road at Coddenham Green supply the Rampant with four real lagers on draught and in bottles for take aways.

A ten minute walk from the ground, after two hours on the coach we had worked up a thirst and the Calvors Amber really did hit the spot.

After several pints of Amber we sampled the Calvors Dark and as a consequence considered not walking back to the ground and seeing the afternoon out in the Horse. Certainly a first for us!

Worth the trip to Needham Market alone. Pub of the Season, so far.

Rating 5/5

Old Barge, Hertford

The Old Barge is a free house situated on the canal side and offers an amazing array of ale and cider together with some lovely looking home cooked food.

The pub is tucked away behind the market in town and you have to go through some very narrow streets to get to The Old Barge.

The range of ale was impressive with Tribute, Hophead, Hobgoblin and Woodforde's Wherry available along with Stowford Press, Aspall's and Addlestone's Cloudy for the zider lover.

We sampled the Tribute from the St Austell Brewery and the Dark Star Hophead.

      

The pub is on a par with the impressive Old Cross Tavern, also in Hertford, but is child friendly.

Rating 4/5