I hope you appreciate that pubs can be good despite average beer, or dreary despite exceptional ale.
These four ticks in West Wilts were a mix of all that makes pub visiting our national pastime (after whippet racing), but the Lock Inn Cafe tested the patience.
Bradford-on-Avon really is the Skipton of the South-West. A pretty place scarred by cars, without a classic recommendable pub.
And every year a brand new Guide pub completely different to the previous one that mysteriously drops into oblivion.
In 2022, it’s a canalside cafe.
With canoes on the wall.
And tables in boats.
But never mind that, what are the adverts like ?
Bicycles and soap. I’d have liked adverts for Bass and Palmers, but we were directed to a table by a waitress because “table service”.
“I just want a pint please !“
“Please sit down and I’ll bring you a menu“
“I just want a pint though !“
I really, really, HATE table service. But you knew that.
“Behave” said Mrs RM.
The soundtrack was Michael Buble and “Abracadabra“, the mark-up on halves was outrageous (a half was £3.25, a pint £4.95), the beer was fantastic.
It wasn’t Proper Job, it was Bath Gem, a cool, foamy NBSS 3.5. Beer of the trip.
“Shall we go for a walk in the drizzle along the canal footpath, Mrs RM ?”
“No”.
retiredmartin 
Yes I had a similar experience there last year. And the local Kettlesmith beer was over a fiver. And they made us sit outside. Nice location though.
LikeLike
Yes, treat it as a nice cafe with added bonus of good beer and you feel completely different about it.
LikeLike
Perhaps they’re giving you the option of faking suicide?
LikeLike
More proof that you don’t have to be a pub to make it into the guide. What’s next, the local off-license because it has a good range of bottled beers?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve seen that, Morten. There was an off-licence in Bristol which made the GBG for years because it sold a good range of bottle-conditioned beers.
LikeLike
The same was true for many years of Binns department store in Darlington.
LikeLike
Ha-Ha!
LikeLike
The off license that my wife and I ran from 2001 to 2007, featured in the GBG for the last couple of years we were there. The Cask & Glass in Tonbridge, which is still trading, served a range of cask beers, in take-out containers, for customers to enjoy at home.
Despite the accolade of a place in the guide, I remain undecided as to validity of such entries – although when all is said and done, the GBG is a good BEER guide,as opposed to a good PUB guide!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think I read somewhere that the Village Tavern at Outwoods was in the Good Beer Guide twice in one year.
LikeLike
Yes, in different counties, I think.
LikeLike
“I think I read somewhere that the Village Tavern at Outwoods was in the Good Beer Guide twice in one year.”
I know you’ve read it somewhere, because I’ve read it somewhere too. If I’m not suffering from a bad case of deja vu, it was you that wrote about it (somewhere).
LikeLike
SH,
I think that’s what’s known as short term memory loss, not uncommon at my age, remembering what Marstons beers I drank and how much they cost in the Village Tavern during 1976 but not remembering what I wrote a fortnight ago !
LikeLiked by 3 people
The Village Tavern at Outwoods – in my time, there was a choice of maybe 3 beers? Marstons Best, Guinness and “Wrekin” Lager although the pump was covered in cobwebs and I’m sure Jack the landlord never served a pint of it. The did end up getting in a mild pump on the “advice of his doctor”. Broke my heart when I returned and found it had been turned into a house!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s Outwoods near Gnosall, isn’t it ? Stafford Paul might remember that one. Looks like it was converted to a house about 2015.
LikeLike