please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
It's kind of okay - average kind of pub. had a pint of Young's Special which was okay by average standards but not a patch on the Wandsworth original
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Attended the Monday night Jazz night which was excellent. Mine host, Tony, sped around both bars making sure everyone was happy. It`s a Youngs pub, and they Special, Lightning and Bitter, of which I partook as I was driving. Pub is modern/traditional with an original wooden floor and a piano. The back area has a couple of sofas which you`ll have a job to get out of. Apparently, it has a beer garden out the back, but I was there for the Jazz. Beer ,atmosphere, decor and mine host were all very good . I`d go back even without the jazz to be fair.
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After a shaky first few years this pub finally seems to have found its feet. We popped in last night to find Bristol Port cider and Bee Sting perry both on draught and both in top notch condition. In the beer department they had Buntingford's Highwayman in very good condition which is one of my favourite ales. Nice vibe to the place with a DJ playing some old sixties vinyl but not too loud so that you couldn't hold a conversation. I have a feeling we will be popping in more regularly!
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A jazz pub - nice! Folk jam session is first Thursday of the month...sadly we arrived on the second Thursday...
We like it - well kept beer, great ciders, pork scratching and a women knitting at the bar, what's not to like? A good vibe if you want a chat with your mates and unwind. You'll enjoy spending some time here.
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I was interested to read previous reviews of this pub in the light of Wells takeover of Youngs and although Wells tendency to move towards Greene KIng territory is worrying, they are a local outfit, so hard to properly criticize in the Bedford context. This pub is quite decent with a range of ales, music (albeit jazz) and other nice touches.
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Not as good as it used to be when it first opened as a "speciality beer house", with a majority of genuine choice now gone - there used to be more guest beers than Wells' beers back then. The Potton Village Bike was on good form on this last visit, but the Hopping Mad Hoppiness was below par though and returned to the bar for another Village Bike. Liked the atmosphere of the place though and was a nice place to end our mini-crawl.
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The beer in The Bedford Arms is always superb! So what if they get Marston's beers as guests? I've always found them to be excellent. They also regularly have beers from local brewery's such as Potton, Hopping Mad and Buntingford. You get the best pint of Youngs in Bedford here, as many of my friends have agreed. Don't take any notice of moclips2002. This pub is lovely.
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update a saturday night - just one ale available
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sorry but everything is slipping here... two guest beers (Marstons) real choice or cosy supply agreement? ... anyway both were well below par....expensive, poor quality... love the pub, live music was great, but i wish the brewery would stop describing this place as a "speciality beer house" because it aint....
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Relaxed Charles Wells outfit offering the usual Wells & Youngs beers - Wells Bombardier & Youngs Ordinary & Special plus a guest - Jennings Lakeland Stunner. Two Lilley's ciders were on - Sunset & Firedancer. The green tiled exterior with hanging baskets is attractive. Inside is a mixture of sofas and more traditional seating. A band was setting up at the rear. The pub appears to promote live music. Pleasant enough.
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Popped in a couple of weeks ago and was delighted to find the draught Erdinger back on :-) Also they have added some comfy sofas and a coffee table with board games which is a welcome addition. Personally I would prefer to see more guest ales (only 1 on during my visit) but this place seems to be heading in the right direction...
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At the moment, this pub is going from strength to strength. It�s become more comfortable with its natural role as a darn good Charlie Wells pub with one or two guest beers, ensuring the beer is always in good condition. The new landlords have given it the feel of a �local� which had been missing for a while.
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Popped in for a quick pint. Beer was of reasonable quality and atmosphere seems relaxed.
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As a contrast to past comments, I visit this pub quite regularly and personally couldn't say anything bad at all!!! yes, now and again they don't always stock every beer possible and yes they don't always have every hand pump in operation, that may be because the brewery concerned aren't the best company to work with. The landlady does very well in trying to keep this pub afloat (and i must say i do like the new cosy room alot). if people were to visit the pub as often as i do they would see this, the beer garden looks fantastic, the beer is always of great quality and as members of CAMRA would know, the beers are selected carefully from only the best range available.
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Only pub in Bedford that sells draught Erdinger but they never seem to have it on. Selection and quality of real ales could be better which is surprising for a 'speciality beer house'. I wonder if the lack of punters is down to the lack of selection or vice versa. Could be a great pub...
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Totally agree with previous comment regarding selection of real ales. A few weeks ago there were 2 real ciders and a mild. This week just 3 standard Well's ales . A total inconsistancy and lamentable choice of bottled beers. I suggest Well's definition of "Speciality Beer House" is somewhat out of step with most people's expectations. Its a shame because the pub is well run, the staff very welcoming. With plenty of music/poetry themed evenings there's huge potential - a refreshing change from the usual "in yer face" sport most of the town centre pubs inflict on their customers.
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Has thus far failed to live up to Charles Wells' hype about a new concept of 'Speciality Beer House'
A nice refurb and poaching Eric Mills from the Wellington augured well but the Bedford Arms has sadly fallen down on the all important beer front.
Don't get me wrong, the quality is fine, it's the choice that's lacking.
As soon as you enter the pub you are bombarded (or should that be Bombardiered?) with offerings from Wells and Young. And in case you hadn't noticed, Youngs beers are brewed in Bedford not Wandsworth these days so can't be considered 'guest ales'.
The real guests are tucked away in the side room, almost as an afterthought it seems. Four pumps but there's usually only two on. I think I've seen three beers on once, never all four.
And therein lies the problem. If Wells Young want us to take the 'Speciality Beer House' concept seriously they've got to put the guest ales front of house and push them a bit more instead of their own brews which are widely available throughout the town, (especially the bottled beers which are almost exclusively their own brews and much cheaper in Tesco's!)
I suspect Eric and subsequent managers would have the same gripe.
If the current landlady is who I think she is, she knows the Wellie well, and knows how it can be done.
Fine for pint or two but you'd never while away a whole evening sampling the beers like you would at the Wellie. Opportunity Missed.
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excellent well kept ales including guests - though as its Wells bar prices are little steep
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Great looking pub with really decent beer but lacking in punters and therefore atmosphere. Needs the locals to support this pub otherwise it'll go one way..
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Popped in on Friday lunchtime after seeing that this pub was once more 'Under New Management'.
Good to see plenty of guest ales, an extensive wine list, a good value menu and a happier, livelier feel about the place. The cheerful barmaid certainly knew her stuff about the ales. My pint of 'Bitter & Twisted' was well kept and served.
After several recent changes of management hopefully this pub now has the landlord and lady it deserves.
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Visited this pub for the first time on Sunday. It has a warm friendly and homely feel helped by the friendly staff. A good range of beers and guest ales and lagers. I was tempted by the food and had a delicious shepherds pie.I will definately be going back
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I think this pub has just helped me to find my new favourite beer!
The atmosphere was great, the selection of beers was excellent, and the home cooked food was delicious. I wish the new Landlady and Landlord the best of luck and I will definitely be back again!
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I was here for the rugby on Saturday; friendly crowd, good range of beers and good food.
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The new Landlady and Landlord are really friendly. The new home cooked menu looks absolutely wonderful and I'm sorry I only had a chance to sample one main dish as they all looked so delicious.
It's so good to see the Guest Ales and regular Ales back on the taps too!!!
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why when things begin to look up and regulars get settled do wells insist on again and again trying to sell the tenancy on... knowing full well that another lot of management will lose their investment after 6months and the pub is back where it started ...empty! how will this pub ever succeed?
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Deserted at 7.30 on a Saturday night and looks to be struggling as a going concern, maybe it gets busy later. They had a couple of real ales on and I found a local CAMRA newsletter kicking around.
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a sunday open mic night recently started makes for a great nights entertainment listening to bedfords extremely talented local musicians! definitely makes a change from the karaoke/jukebox pubs!
hosted by mat roberts a night worth attending!
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a great pub! great choice of beers! great local customers and very friendly atmosphere! an old traditional feel and a place for a quiet pint or a sociable chat! definitely one worth visiting!
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not bad, but way too expensive and full of Camra types.
anonymous - 3 Dec 2008 22:45 |
maybe things are on the slide here - half the hand pumps out of use, disco's and football to scare people away, Wellington is a far better bet (for those of wanting choice and a quiet pint)
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Always an excellent selection of real ales. Great traditional pub atmosphere. Home made soup is well worth having.
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Decent REAL pub near the centre of Bedford, beers constantly changing and friendly, knowledgable staff. Well worth an evening out.
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stil going strong ! though now a TV on one bar (groan) is there nowhere left for a qiet pint now in Bedford ????
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The first half-decent pub I have come across near the centre of Bedford. A good selection of real ales and imported beers - well worth a try.
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Just got back from this pub - live traditional Irish music - 1st Wednesday of every month - superb music, great beer, good staff. Get along here.
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A welcome addition to the Bedford Real Ale scene. The best pint of Wells in their home town! Can only get better with time...
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very tastefully decorated, great thats its totally non-smoking, gotta be honest not the best quality ales - go to Wellington for that. The bottled beer list is not quite as expansive you might expect. Draught german beer is a welcome addition.
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Popped in on Saturday. Wow - what a place. Beautifully refurbished - lots of wood and tiling giving the place a real sense of an old ale house. Fantastic selection of beers - including an excellent pint of Bombadier (something very hard to find in Bedford!)plus lots of bottled ales & foreign beers. Friendly and knowledgeable service, they even helped with the kids buggy I had with me. Plus a nice garden out back. Food looks good value too. It seems that I have a new local.
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i gather its now reopened - with manamgmet team from The Wellington anyone been yet ??
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It's currently boarded up.
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