The Ring O' Bells, Overton

What an excellent village local! A superb pint of Charles Wells Bombardier followed by an equally tasty pint of JW Lees Coronation Ale. The food looked extremely good value and very nicely presented.

7 Sep 2009 20:14

The Belle Monte Hotel, Frodsham

I also visited this establishment one lunchtime just as it began to pour down with rain. The lights were on and the door was slightly ajar so I assumed it was open for business.
The licensee was inside talking to somebody so I entered and asked: "Are you open?"
"No!" he barked, "That's why the door's shut!"
"Well it wasn't very well shut," I remarked, seeing as I'd only pushed it open gently.
"It was! he growled.
I left and also walked down the hill to the Ring O' Bells.
The landlord is clearly a graduate of 'The Bazil Fawlty School of Licensed Victuallers'.

7 Sep 2009 20:09

Priory, Banbury

Gary06 must be having a laugh when he says the beers are reasonably priced! We couldn't find Wetherspoons, where the beers ARE reasonably priced, so we called into this 'Spoons 'Lookalike' pub.
There were two handpumps with 'Wye Valley Bitter' pumpclips on, so I asked the barman for a small white wine and a pint of Wye Valley Bitter.
He poured the wine and then informed me that the Wye Valley Bitter was 'off'! I pointed out that he could have told me that it was off before pouring the wine. I also told him that it was usual practice to turn the pumpclip the other way if the beer was off.
I eventually settled for a half of Kronenbourg and I honestly could not believe my ears when he said...... "�5.05, please"
�5.05 for a half of lager and a small glass of house wine!!!!!!!!!
Luckily, we found Wetherspoons later that afternoon and my first round was a PINT of Wye Valley Bitter and a LARGE glass of house wine.
The cost? �4.30!
My advice? When in Banbury avoid The Priory like the plague and go to Wetherspoons. (or The Olde Reindeere, The Cromwell Lodge, The Coach and Horses or any of the other decent pubs in town!)

8 Oct 2006 19:39