This really is a marvellous pub. Amazed to realise it must be 19 years since my last visit when I remember being offered a pint of ‘Test Brew Mild’ from the forthcoming on-site brewery. I really must try to get here more often. Particularly as I discovered that on this occasion at 2:55 I had arrived just in time for a pint before Sunday afternoon closure (not that anyone else seemed to be in a hurry to leave when I said my farewells at 3:30).

Brew pub on a corner in the centre of town. Lots of sea and rail memorabiliaon the walls. 4 handpumps on a single bar. Side room has the brew kit at the rear. Most of the clientele on a late Saturday afternoon were sat outside.

The inside was nearly deserted as all the smoakers were crowded out the front. The pub has 2 rooms, one of which holds the brewery kit at the end.

A very small, basic boozer, with nice church pews. Fairly busy on a Saturday afternoon. The eccentric beer garden was full of old school chairs, and a communist scarecrow. Beers are sometimes available to take away in 2 pint plastic milk bottles. A guest Rooster and Crouch Vale best bitter were available.