Lock Keeper, Keynshamback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Great pub, mixture of old and new, great food although on the pricey side. Great summer pub to sit outside by the river.
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Given Blackthorn's thorough appraisal of most of the important aspects of this particular pub, I shan't seek to rehearse them too heavily herein, as much of his description would seem to remain current despite the passage of time. I imagine that as one of Young's (finest real estate!) outlets there is a predictable but comfortable consistency in what the Lock Keeper offers its punters, and I cannot suggest that that formula wasn't working, for on our visit a week ago Tuesday evening, numerous people of all ages and genders were steadily packing themselves in. Inevitably perhaps they erred on the well-heeled and middle-class side of life, because with a Young's pricing strategy nowadays there's far fewer from less-affluent walks of life who can justify or afford the cost. But it was nonetheless civil and pleasant for that. Clearly the Keeper is an alternative meeting place for the slightly more upmarket local folk who choose to reject the rather more earthy licensed premises in the centre of Keynsham.
Ale-wise, Bath Gem was found in decent nick, although some of the Wells & Young's options were disappointing. Besides the Gold which did need changing (and duly was changed), these beers just don't seem to travel well; i have had many an uninspiring pint in Young's houses in the West and frankly I can't believe locals ever quaff it in preference to their own more locally-produced options. But then in a pub like this, let's face it: it's more about food. The menu was extensive and those who ate seemed satisfied enough with the quality and portions offered. Clearly the custom for grub implied it was regarded locally as a destination for a meal out. Grog is a mere bystander to that kind of market now.
The pub is a delight to behold, dating back 5 centuries, and inside adorned with numerous photos of days of yore. It has many seating areas and alcoves to enjoy, be it solo, as a couple, or a group of over 10 like us. There was a cosy warmth to it - all too literally in the greenhouse conservatory area - and service from the mainly young staff was fault-free.
I'm glad Young's policy of the early 2000s to muscle its way into the West was short-lived; I'd hate them to have gained any greater foothold here than they did. But once in a while it's a safe bet, especially in an area where excellent pubs do not abound. Safe, if uninspiring.
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A decent old pub in a pleasant location with a garden stretching down to the river, which must be a great spot on a summer�s day even if your are immediately next to a main road. Inside, the original part of the pub is essentially two adjoining rooms, although with plenty of wood partitioning it somehow feels like several different areas. The floor is reclaimed boards and there is wood cladding on the lower half of the walls, whilst there are plenty of old pictures dotted around elsewhere. In one area the ceiling seemed to need a bit of attention with plasterboards just tacked up that weren�t even skimmed, never mind painted. Possibly work in progress, although they didn�t look particularly new. Other than that, it�s got a pleasant olde worlde charm to it, although it�s shame that the �fire� was for visual effect only and gave out no heat. Several punters commented on this and seemed disappointed.
A conservatory extension was added a few years back, which has pretty much doubled the size of the pub. This is in contrast to the rest of the pub, being of a very modern, frameless design. Being pretty much 100% glass, this can get unpleasantly hot in the summer, and conversely, is not exactly cosy on a snowy December evening. It�s a pleasant enough spot though, and looked suitably festive decked out for Christmas. There is also some outside decking overlooking the garden for warmer weather.
There�s a decent looking pub grub menu, with your usual dishes such as lasagne, ham, egg & chips, pies, etc., plus a few slightly more adventurous choices. Most of the mains seemed start around the �8 mark which seemed reasonable value, but having sampled a couple of dishes we felt they were perhaps slightly overpriced for what we got. The battered fish and chips was more batter than fish, and the accompanying mushy peas were served in a tiny little ramekin the same size as the tartar sauce. Similarly, the chilli was a little light on the chilli and a little heavy on the rice. Not bad, but a tad expensive we felt. The Aussie landlady seemed pleasant and helpful.
Being a Young�s pub, their beers dominated the bar with their Bitter, Special and Winter Warmer. There was also Bath�s Gem. Ciders were Thatcher�s Gold, Addlestones and Strongbow.
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I agree with previous positive comments. Beers on this Saturday lunchtime were St Austell's Tribute (tested and approved) and Bath Ales' Gem as well as their Youngs brews. Food - a range of main dishes at �7.95 upwards; the Homemade Beef & Mixed Bean Chilli was excellent, the Somerset Ham, Egg & Chips was good too. Service quick despite being quite busy. Pleasant and helpful staff, as on previous visits, happy to welcome walkers as well as those dressed more smartly.
[I know this is Beerintheevening, but I haven't yet found Beerandabiteatlunchtimeforactiveramblers.com]
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Good pub and nice location in the beer desert that appears to be Keynsham? As other comments, they have utilised space well with a nicely constructed conservatory, a nice big garden over looking the river and a good ale - Bath Gem served. I would have given an even higher mark had it had another ale or two on.
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A Young�s pub, they had on Bitter; Special; Kew Gold; and Bath Gem as a guest ale when I visited last week. I had the Kew Gold, which was OK but probably not such a full-flavoured ale as the Bath Gem. It wasn�t too busy on a weekday lunchtime, but with its lovely position next to the river and lock, it gets very busy during the weekend. They�ve increased the inside seating with the addition of a conservatory area at the back with its own bar, and the outside seating includes a decked area behind the conservatory, with steps leading down to a grassed area next to the river with very many picnic benches. It looks to be a pub with a good mix between drinking and eating � I didn�t eat there, but the mains looked to be reasonably priced at between �8 - �12. It�s family friendly with the predominance of outside seating, so children are often in evidence. Food is still a very important ingredient in the make-up of this pub, and I think I would choose my time carefully if I wanted to visit for a quiet pint. But it�s an OK pub overall.
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A pub that's trying to be a bit, er, 'upmarket' but have to say that we got a very friendly welcome from staff. All Youngs beers apart from Deuchars which was in good condition. Lovely setting with huge garden out back, so even if busy can get away from the crowds.
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I thought the clientele were a bit parochial and got a decidedly frost feel when going for a pint in here. Nice food though and pleasant interior.
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Riverside pub as the name suggests, which has recently been extended out into a covered decked area in the large beer garden. Excellent food and Youngs beer, and deservedly popular.
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Great pub, it's a Youngs so you would expect nothing less. Good beer and superb food, even the glass extension has taken nothing away from the pub.
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This pub serves some of the most outstanding food you will find in a traditional British pub. Situated by the river side near a waterfall it is very well fitted out with two bars despite it been actually quite a small pub. It has both a main pub area, a large conservatory, a large heated outdoor decking area and a large beer garden. Several quality real ales served here alongside the usual commercial lagers. The only downside of the pub is actually its popularity, its always busy all nights of the week and you are not guaranteed to get a place to sit in doors, also they accept prebookings as their menu is very popular, so its sometimes difficult to make a impulse dining visit. Outstanding pub would throughly recommend.
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