The Wight Bear Ale House, Southbourne

Bournemouth's second micro-pub, opened a couple of months ago. Usually four cask ales (including mild or dark) and four ciders on tap, served by gravity. No lager, muzak, TV or ring tones! Excellent local pork pies and Scotch eggs. A family enterprise well worth a visit - there's usually good crac. CAMRA members get a 30p discount.

13 Sep 2015 07:31

Clarendon Arms, Southwark

A Victorian corner pub of the sort that once existed in their thousands. Single bar with TV, darts and pool; no food or cask ale.

10 Jul 2014 11:42

Clouds Hill, Bovington Camp

Perhaps browsers won't again have the opportunity to sample the delights of Clouds Hill - when I passed by a couple of days ago after a visit to Monkey World, there was a notice: closed because of unforeseen circumstances. And it looked like for the long term.

My first visit was a strange experience; like entering a dated 1970s village hall, exposed beams, highly varnished furniture, a few squaddies and local (?) girls. No cask on offer. Stuck in a time warp.

25 Jun 2014 20:02