A Stedders Guide

ONE PUB ONLY? Kemble Brewery CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND? The Station is miles from anywhere so get the bus into town and then Restoration, Swan and then the Kemble and Sudeley SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT? Jolly Brewmaster TRY ALSO:- Cheltenham Motor Club
Cotswold 17 Portland St. GL52 2NZ T 01242 525570 W www.wadworth.co.uk G NEW LANDLORDS F Good pub grub with American style burger specialities. 7 to 9 Mon – Thu, 12.30 to 2.30 Fri – Sun MP TV BM P O 12 to 12 This pub is on the up. One for the younger ale drinker it offers something very different to the traditional real ale house. “Good simple food in a grungy atmosphere, or quality music in the cellar bar, it is a refreshing change to the Cheltenham norm.” My visit included a tour of the downstairs bar where it isn’t difficult to imagine the attraction of this place to those who like their music loud, live and lively. I was also tempted by the apparently well priced and good quality pub grub. As A. Stinton of Cheltenham says “It is a friendly, open pub where you can always find a good atmosphere. Compared to the majority of the pubs in the town it certainly shines out as the most relaxed and enjoyable.” This was my experience as some pubs, that I will not name, not only declined to discuss the footie and real ale phenomena but were unusually arrogant in their opinion that they had no need to publicise their qualities. I will not then. UPDATE Live music is upstairs leaving the cellar to Heavy Metal fans. In the next year the aim is for the pub to become the Cheltenham Steak pub. The beer is still excellent, offering occasional guest ale. The CAMRA folk still meet here, those crazy quotas strike again. BWV 29.12.04: Wadworth 6X, Henry's IPA, Old Timer. BWV 13.1.06: Wadworth 6X, Henry’s IPA, Old Timer.
Fox and Hounds 116 Prestbury Rd GL52 2DP Tel: 01242 523095 G Jeff Watson F Carvery to be up and run ning for football season 12 7 Sat 12 - 5.30 S Tables in outside area to the front of pub Car Park TV Music through TV Darts / Skittle Alley Disbled access via ramp O 12 - 12 (winter times) 5 -12 summer REAL ALE IN FOOTBALL SEASON ONLY Jeff recommended the Fox and Hounds as the "designated" away fans pub. It ios certainly the obvious chioce for the masses as it is a big roadside tavern on the main round from the north to the ground. The rooms are spacious, well laid out and friendly to all-comers. Those from outside the west will note the skittle alley, the pub runs 8 teams and has oits own internal summer league. It is a sunday lunch time pub catering more for the Prestbury than the Whaddon local crowd. Jeff has run the pub for the last three years using his experise in the club trade to encourage a community atmosphere. The pub will offer one real ale during the seasonm, probably from Brains or Butcombe. There is not enough local demand to do this all year.
Hewlett Harp Hill, Battledown, Cheltenham, GLOS, GL52 6QG Telephone: 01242 228600 W www.thehewlett.co.uk/index.htm G Russ Manning F 12 -3 , 6-9 except Sunday nights CP TV BM D O 11:30am to 11:00pm. Close to the ground and comfortably away from marauding home fans (what there is of them) the Hewlett jumped out for me as its current menu offered Rabbit Stew. Game dishes are featured, a local farm suppling. The pub has an elaborate single space and is situated in the north east Cheltenham suburb of Battledown, the eponymous brewery being famous for it's Saxon Bitter, not actually on this time. Landlord Russell has taken time and considerable pains to invest in a comfortable, contemporary look. There is fixed floor to ceiling panneling in camel coloured upholstetry material. I'd like some myself for my next home refurb. The Gents has a discrete "M" on the door, in a deep red. There is a fine, open aspect to the place with a small garden to the front. The staff are young relaxed and friendly. The patrons are mostly over 30, professional or of families. Sport enthusiasts are welcome but as yet infrequent. Let them augment, but not too much BWV 24.10.06 Goff's Jouster, Tomothy Taylor Landlord Mick Escott BWV 22.7.09 Sharp's Doom Bar Timothy Taylor Landlord
Jolly Brewmaster 39 Painswick Rd, GL50 2EZ Tel 01242 772261 W www.jollybrewmaster.furryfeet.tv G Danielle Wheatley F No food on match days, Sunday roasts from 12 – 2 S Outside heated garden No TV No music, though live music on Tuesdays D Access via side and rear O 12 -11, 12 -10.30 Sun It was fellow football fan Martin (AKA, Lord Powell) who suggested visiting this award winning real ale house. The sun was shining at the nearby cricket festival so it was no hardship to stroll there and find an excellent option for those who want to drink south of the town, perhaps on the trek to or from the station. Mick and I spent an excellent hour or so chatting with the enthusiastic bar manager Dr. Grant about the pub, its reputation and ideas for how to develop a good pub into a great one. This they have achieved by offering the simple things to a high standard. Everything about the pub goes the extra mile and it has been rewarded with local pub of the year awards in 2008 and 2009. The Jolly Brewmaster has custom from a wide range of regulars who enjoy the space yet intimacy of several rooms on split levels that lead off a distinctive horseshoe bar. The interior design shows that not all redesigns by the major brewers in the late 80’s were soulless and given love and care can be as pleasing to the eye as any back street traditional ale house. What was the British Union before 1961 has been in this leafy suburban road since 1854 and should be cherished for the quality of ales and ciders. It is welcoming and popular to all ages and was frequented by groups of families as well as obvious well trained locals. The unique feature however, lies in the garden. Danielle has designed and furnished a walled courtyard of which to dream. The carefully named, yes named, tables and seats are individually hewn from local timber, sourced at a local sawmill. It is a suntrap to die for, walled by the neighbouring houses it would be perfect for a long summers sozzle. BWV 22.7.09 Charles Wells Bombardier, Cotswold Spring Old English Rose, Hook Norton Haymaker, Salopian Darwin’s Origin, St. Austell Tribute, Severn View Session, Wickwar Coopers. BWV 25/10/09: Butcombe IPA, Felinfoel Double Dragon, Northumberland Bucking Fastard, Otter Bitter, Rudgate Ruby Mild, Wickwar Cotswold Way
Kemble Brewery Inn 27 Fairview St. GL52 2JF T 01242 243446 G Chris Wheatley F Normally sandwiches and toasties plus one special pub meal of the day from 12 to 2.15, Sunday 12 to 3 Heated smoking coutyard, very tastefully designed MP TV O 11 to 11, mon - Thu, 11 to 12 Fris and Sat, 12 to 11 Sun The Kemble is a well established find for football fans who are "in the know." It can get very crowded on match days but now opens earlier so it is well worth making the visit early to claim some space. This is a traditional community pub that sets the standard for Cheltenham. Eileen, has left the pub but the traditions of being a genuine local with care for its regular trade continue.. The pub has a beer garden that has been imporoved considerably and is really an extra walled garden room “This pub always wins awards for being simply the best.” Every visit has found people discovering the Kemble and wondering why every back - street pub near a ground can’t be as good as this. The food is simple pub grub, the atmosphere is positively bubbly, the chances of getting a seat minimal, unless you get there early. Sharps Doom Bar is a regular and five other beers rotate, often one from Wye Valley. Should you wish to sort out some group food, give Andy a call in advance. He is more interested in Worcester Rugby than t6he Robins and Villa calendars show his football allegiences. Mick and I settled for the pub meal and a Battledown ale. BWV 29.12.04: Brakspear O Be Joyful, Greene King IPA, Smiles Bristol IPA, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Whittington's Cat's Whiskers, Wye Valley Hereford Pale Ale BWV 13.1.06: Bath Ales Spa, Black Sheep Special, Fuller’s London Pride, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Whittington Cat’s Whiskers, Wye Valley Hereford Pale Ale. Mick Escott writes:- It was a fruitful lunchtime visit to this compact and friendly hostelry. It gets congested easily and often, in sessions and on match days. I enjoyed conversation with Dennis, the outgoing landlord who made me a delicious beef sandwich washed down with the Wye Valley. The pickled eggs were 35p. Food is modest but in keeping. The compact back garden was tempting but conversation precluded, mostly with a travelling Bury fan, Mike (for college purposes, not football) who didn't have the distraction of more Stedders contenders to sample and was making a session of it, a regular occurence here, I'm sure. The pub should be tried along with the Sudeley, they are peas in a a pint swilling pot. They are close to the town centre too, Parking is trying but this is the top of the town centre restriction zone. BWV 24.11.06 Greene King Abbot, Ruddles County, St Austell Tribute, Wychwood Hobgoblin, Wye Valley Hereford Pale Ale. BWV 22.7.09 Battledown Sunbeam, Goffs Jouster, Hook Norton Old Hookey, North Cotswold Genesis, Purity Mad Goose, Stroud Budding, Wye Valley HPA, Westons Traditional Cider BWV 28.7.10 Fullers London Pride, Nailsworth Mayor's Bitter, Slater's Mellow Yellow, Wye Valley Butty Bach, HPA.
Restoration Inn 55 - 57 High St. GL50 1DX T 01242 522792 G Nicholas Richardson F 12 -9 daily. Sunday roasts, traditional good pub food MP SK BM O 11-11 12 to 11 Sun. One aim of the widened scope of this years’ guides was to get some more youthful High Street locations. This Barracuda pub offers such a location, great ale selections and a friendliness that encourages younger drinkers to sample real ale. As a C15th pub it claims to be the towns oldest but the interior is of the now classic, split – level, open - plan design. There will always be between two and six ales. The regulars sit at the bar while couples venture deep into the rear of this large pub. It is more likely that you will find local Rugby fans / players than football supporters. As the retiring postman said “What I like is that Ian knows what I want to drink and is willing to get involved in bar - fly chat.” The food is in the “platter” style that attracts family eating on the cheap, the beer is of the independent style that attracts beer tickers like me. One observation is that for once I was the eldest at the bar, 80% of those locals wearing hats, curious! It is not a rowdy place nor will the chain pub youths like this place; but as a pub to take the girlfriend and enjoy predictable youthful chat then this is the pub to hang out during the evening. As a new entry to the local CAMRA guide, the Restoration is a good honest town - centre pub. I just wish all such redesigned pubs were like this. Stedders Guides 2006 - 07 Mick writes:- This is in the up and coming Barracuda chain, they are a notch up from Wetherspoons with a home cooked standard menu and 4 carefully chosen and well kept ales. There is an annual festival in September putting on an extra 8 ales on a stillage in the corner. I didn't ask which corner as the pub is a rambling, former coaching inn on the London Road with several spaces, though the only eveidence of antiquity is the exposed beams in the High Street section ( 15th century listed). This being a Georgian Spa there are scenic delights within easy reach. For some the studentsshopping outside might appeal. In fact, if you are into heritage leave the quarter of an hour walk to Whaddon Road as long as possible as the route is singulary lacking in architectural merit. The pub has a dedicated sports following; viz 4 tellies, 1 big screen, 2 plasmas. It has the character of a football pub and welcomes away fans. On Sunday nights a fraternity of American football fans attend for the 9 o'clock slot. Overall the clientele ranges from students to business people, young and old. It is a varied and lively watering hole BWV 13.1.06: St. Austell Tinners, Tribute, Wickwar Cotswold Way, Wychwood Hobgoblin, Wye Valley Bitter BWV 24.10.06 St Austrell HSD, Tribune, Wye Valley Bitter, Butty Bach
Sudeley Arms 25 Prestbury Rd. GL52 2PN T 01242 new number to come G Stuart Weaver F Rolls and sandwiches to come in football season SP TV JB Outside smoking area with tables 11 to 11.30, 12 to 10.30 Sun I described the Sudeley is the archetypal "potential" pub; the three rooms are off a central bar. After some changes of management the changes have begun. Stuart has taken on the challenge of a newly refurbished pub (March 2009) where the rooms are intact but the pub now squeaks to the sound of shoes on wooden floors and the walls are a strikingly neutral cream. The pub caters for a wide range of locals, workers and event visitors. I really enjoyed the public bar, of traditional design and atmosphere. The locals chat is often related to horse racing rather than the Robins; I can imagine this pub being very popular during Cheltenham week, so too when the pub gets its regulars into party mode. It is a short walk to the ground, so I would park up near the ground and walk back for a long leisurely pint, with food taken from nearby chippies or at the ground. The welcome is good, the company just fine. BWV 29.12.04: Camerons Castle Eden Ale, Goff's Jouster, Timothy Taylor Landlord BWV 13.1.06: Brains SA, Goff’s Jouster, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Young’s Special, Weston’s Old Rosie BWV 22.7.09 Charles Wells Bombardier, Fullers London Pride, (One other from SIBA list arrives at weekends)
Swan 37 High St. GL50 1DX T 01242 584989 W http://www.swancheltenham.co.uk G Steven and Becky Hall F Restaurant food, freshly prepared to order in traditional British pub style from all day, Sun 12 - 3 MP TV BM O 12 to 11 Mon. to Thu,. 12 to 12 Fri. – Sat,. 12 to 10.30 Sun The Swan is the towns’ CAMRA Pub of the Year and seeing the choice of ales that are ever - changing it is easy to understand that choice. Steven and Becky have created a touch of “capital class” in their short time at the pub. The team includes Rosie, Dan and Vanda who run a great pub with customer service to die for. For example, I was pleasantly surprised to be offered a choice of straight or jug. Groups of young women with young children were obviously welcome, there is plenty enough space for all as the pub extends deep to the rear off the High Street. The atmosphere is perhaps best described as convivial. Fun also comes to mind as one notes that it hosts “speed - dating, great live music and fab’ real ales.” Hopefully they don’t run simultaneously! You should never rush ale of this quality. The pub will get comfortably busy on matchdays but you are more likely to find cricket and rugby fans. Those wanting big screen action will be in the Restoration along the road. The rear beer garden also looked tempting for those hot summer evenings. The pub oozes sophistication without losing those essentials of intimacy for the locals who like their regular corners. I am sure you can find whatever you want in one of the four distinct drinking areas. For me it would be the front bar, enjoying a view of the traffic jams outside. BWV 13.1.06: Battledown Saxon, Hidden Brewery Hidden Quest, Sharp’s Cornish Coaster. Mick Escott's update This smooth, relaxing pub is complimentary to the Restoration, afew doors down the road. This one has been CAMRA local pub of the year, two years running. There's always one weaker beer and two stronger according to Des, the assistant manager. It is no no surprise that there's a selection of wine bottles on clear display ( mostly red) alongh with siongle malt whiskies; Laphroig sells best; discerning m ature drinkers here. The price sensitive lunches include lamb chops with Savoy cabbage, The pub's position at the top end of tyhe main drag may well help to maintain it in it's niche in Cheltenhams drinking fraternity. BWV 24.10.06 Elgood's Golden Newt, Goff's Merlin, Marston Wicked Witch
The Robins Bar Jeff from the Fox and Hounds runs the Robins bar for the football club. This small bar welcomes well behaved away fans to games where there is enough room, i.e most games, but not when the home fans are expected to fill it. The bar has interesting displays of team memorabilia, reflecting the club's non league history. The bar itself lies under the main stand, has windows that look out to the pitch and is of skittle alley size and shape. A big screen drops down in the corner for pre match entertainment of the sky variety. BWV 21.7.09 Cotswold Spring Old English Rose ABBEY BUSINESS STADIUM
Cheltenham Town 22 July 2009 It all started with an easy train ride on the main Penzance to Glasgow line (Bristol to Cheltenham section). We hoped, faintly, that the pub adjacent to Cheltenham Spa station would provide something suitable, but, no. That area is not one of the spa town’s finest. So,we took a taxi to the hinterland of Whaddon Road, alighting at the Fox & Hounds for convenience. The landlord was helpfully available, though we were rather early and we adopted a Shanks’s pony approach for the next few segments of this pursuit of the portfolio of recommendations. The Hewlett, which is good for race meetings up yonder, and close to Town’s ground, was our first proper stop. Was it Whittington’s Cat’s Whiskers first? Maybe not, but it’s a great name, and from Newent, Glos. It also remains to try Hewlett food. The menu is promising for a varied and gourmand clientele. Some time, definitely, but not on Sundays, I’ve discovered. The weather was a tad moody that day, egged on, no doubt by the presence of Glos CCC at Cheltenham College for their ‘Cheltenham Festival’, one of many festivals over the calendar in the locality. Most of the others are cultural rather than sporting, but read on. A bit of sport was the plan between batches of pubs. The bulletin Stedders received from the college was dismal as to Glos’s performance against Northants. We wanted some cricket but not defeat. Rain was in the air, and on the ground. So to some pubs: first, the Kemble Brewery Inn. Terrific place – I indulged in an economical (price but a fulsome in size) plateful of casserole. You don’t need to visit the somewhat cute back garden, but Stedders did for his smoke and it afforded further chats with users. I admired the Aston Villa calendar by the bar and discussed rugby with the landlord, a Gloucester fan. Then, close enough, to the Sudeley Arms, which has undergone a makeover. We didn’t have time for the town centre inns, the Restoration and the Swan, as cricket and the Jolly Brewmasters beckoned. Anyway the rain had lifted and there was a need to try a different type of ale provision, in the cricket beer tent. There we were, with a pint or two from the barrels, witnessing the death throes of the ambitions of Glos to avoid a sad defeat, with a day to go. We did sit quietly for a while and commiserate with Stedders’ friends (fellow season ticket holders). No rain now to save the team. I had a call in mid-proceedings from my plumber that he’d fixed my leak. How provident! Finally, completing the circuit from north to south of the town centre, we made it to the Jolly Brewmaster. New to both of us, on Painswick Road, it would be a vehicle stop for visitors to Whaddon Road, not being too convenient. Do it, everybody, it’s worth it! My nieces, who both live in Cheltenham Spa, enjoyed it with us. One has since made it her local. She drinks a strange cold cider concoction. I did try the perry on my next visit, but not after the best part of a gallon of beer. There’s an old Devon expression my dear old mother used to churn out at appropriate moments: ‘Cider on beer makes you queer; Beer on cider – ‘tis a rider’. P’raps it’s all apocryphal. Mick Escott
LOCAL BREWERY Cotswold Spring Brewery Ltd Dodington Spring Dodington Ash Chipping Sodbury BS37 6RX Phone: (01454) 323088 www.cotswoldbrewery.co.uk
WETHERSPOONS The Moon Under Water 16-28 Bath Road Cheltenham GL53 7HA Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am The Bank House 15-21 Clarence Street Cheltenham GL50 3JL Opening Times: Sun-Thu 10am-midnight; Fri/Sat 10am-1am