Godolphin Arms, Marazion

We learned there was a beer festival here from Penzance Tourist Information, and caught a bus that stops across the road from it. No 2 runs past between Penzance and Helston, and we were on 302 that is running to Praa Sands for the summer season. Large hotel on the front overlooking St Michael's Mpount, so stunning views, but we did not go to the main bar. Chap from reception took us to a room down a few stairs where an impressive stillage was set up for the 30 ales on offer. Each table had a beer menu complete with photo of the pumpclip and description. Very well done. Prices were all set as £3.50 a pint. Chap serving was friendly and knowledgable about the beers. We enjoyed beers from Glastonbury, St Austell and Penzance breweries. Food menu looked good, but as so often happens round here we had time constraints due to our plans for the day and bus timetables. Well worth a visit.

The Godolphin has the major advantage of sitting in one of the counties most scenic spots with stunning views across the causeway to St Michaels Mount and Mounts Bay. The huge hotel dominates the foreshaw and consists of various bars, lounges and dining sections all geared up to cope with the huge crowds that arrive in the tourist season. The main entrance is through a reception area that leads to the large main bar and dining room. This section is rather dull and formulaic with little character although the local revolving artwork may be of interest to some. But there are several window seats where you can admire the sensational views. There are 2 separate drink and food bars – on the drink side there were 2 Ales (Doom Bar & Tribute) with 2 further pumps unused. I would expect there to be more available in peak periods. For such a tourist hot spot, prices were very reasonable. There are daily food specials (Thursday Curry, Friday Fish and Saturday Steak) but as my budget only stretches to the pastie shop down the road, I didn't eat here. Service was friendlyand efficient but I can imagine that in the heat of summer they would need to manage the place like a military operation. Down stairs to the left of the main bar leads to a lower level with a large modern lounge and a more pubby Gig bar with pool table and large plasma screen primarily for sport. There is also a disappointly limited amount of outside seating given the views to be had. After a few hours enduring the cobbles of the mount and the casle, this is a decent enough place to unwind and as long as you keep looking out to sea, what the pub is like won't matter.

Official site of the Godolphin Arms - www.godolphinarms.co.uk

Official site of the Godolphin Arms - www.godolphinarms.co.uk

No good if you are in a hurry, my lunch took over an hour to arrive, then I was told we were too late for a sweet. NOT recommended