EBG Rating: 7.5/10

Choice/Quality of Drinks:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
A good selection of cask and keg ales and ciders above the mainstream.

Style/Décor:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Low-slung beams and a long bar to the right of the entrance. Compact and dimly lit.

Atmosphere/Character:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
A little bit of a cafe/restaurant feel undoes some of the potential for this to be a true social meeting point, and it feels a little more upright than some as a result. Nevertheless, it is lively around the bar area in particular while the surroundings and fittings are characterful.

Amenities/Events:
❤️❤️❤️
Food, snacks.

Value For Money:
❤️❤️❤️
Typical city centre rates.

Description:
Famously the site where King Charles, fleeing from defeat at the battle of Worcester took refuge before escaping on a horse through the back entrance, beginning his flight from England via the south coast.

Although the house has received alterations since then, some of the interior features and infrastructure remain, including its ‘oubliette’ or dungeon. The building has seen many different uses since, from antiques shop, to restaurant, to judges quarters, to furniture shop.

There is little sign of that either on the mock Tudor facade or as you enter to the sight of low-slung beams and a long bar.

Today’s operation focuses on traditional pub food, local cask ales and ciders, meaning a decent selection to go at. The bar area is busy on weekends in particular with those standing and chatting. There is a balance struck between dining and socialising here which means it doesn’t feel like you’re putting anyone’s noses out of joint sitting with a pint.

Compared with other heritage pubs in the city centre like the Cardinal’s Hat and The Paul Pry, this perhaps misses a feeling of social gathering, more of a café of individual groups than a genuine redoubt, but that aside, they have done a good job with the raw materials they have, therefore warrants a recommendation.