Old Road Tavern, Chippenham

This is my favourite pub in the whole world. I used to drink here regularly when i lived in Chippenham and it is the only pub i will return to when i go home to visit family or friends.

It has a good range of beers and ciders that are well kept. Friendly and interesting bar staff and some real local characters.

The food is genuine pub grub, nothing fancy, but ridiculously cheap. A good little pool room and a fantastic beer garden. It also has a barn which is hired out for parties or band practices. I've heard everything from jazz and soul, though folk music to pounding drum 'n' bass emanating from it.

It has a great mixed crowd, with folkies, morris dancers and chin stoking intellectuals in the lounge and locals and a mix of younger rock kids and people who just want a great place to drink in the bar.

My one complaint would be that sometimes it seems very young in there, but for god's sake, that was me when i was 18 so i don't have a leg to stand on.

Overall a must if you want to escape the bland corporate pubs that have spread across the land and find somewhere with real people and real beer!

15 Feb 2009 10:09