1748 @ Parade Hotel, Bath

This is a single room pub just opposite Bog Island which is very easy to miss. It blends seamlessly in to the rest of the Georgian terrace and does little to advertise it’s presence other than discreet signs above the door and on the railings and a few tables and chairs outside. Whether this is through choice, or planning restrictions I’m not sure. Together with the wide pavement and flower troughs on the window sill, this makes for an attractive looking building although the gaggle of smokers in the doorway were slightly off putting, and also singularly ineffective at keeping the smoke out since it blew straight back in. At one time this must have been a very elegant pub with it’s floor to ceiling wood panelling and was presumably attached to one of the adjacent hotels. These days it seems to have been turned in to more of a sports bar unfortunately, and there were numerous plasma screens dotted around as well as a projector screen. These were all showing the rugby, and the sound was piped to additional speakers around the room which made it very difficult to escape if that’s not your thing. Rugby is clearly a central theme here, understandable perhaps given it’s location, and there were also numerous photographs and a shirt displayed on the walls. A pool table dominated the left hand side of the room, and cues were apparently available for a £5 deposit which struck me as unusual. Are the punters in the habit of walking off with them? The flooring was old wooden boards and the maroon paintwork on the ceiling contrasted with the cream walls. Other than that, there was little of any note. Despite four pumps on the bar, only two were in use dispensing Tribute and their own Lambretta’s Gold. Ciders were well represented though with Thatcher’s Gold, Stowford Press and Wilkins Farmhouse, the latter being served direct from the barrel.

This is an interesting little bar with an unremarkable frontage that you might not think of visiting. However inside you will find a comfortable bar, a decently priced “pub” menu and a couple of real ales, including Bellringer. The eponymous motorcycles have now been moved next door and the bar is part of the Parade Park Hotel if you are looking for somewhere to stay. If you are visiting for the day it's about 5 minutes walk straight up Manvers St from the train and bus stations.