The Crooked Inn, Alves

Visited on a Friday evening at the end of July - not too busy, nice traditional pub feel to the place (definitely eat in the bar rather than the conservatory).

Friendly staff, excellent well-kept local real ales (which are apparently changed quite regularly - try something from the Cairngorm Brewery if one is on) and generally good food that is reasonably priced. Delicious black pudding & stilton in batter starter, very nice pan-fried sea bass fillets, only my friend's crispy duck breast was a disappointment as it was overcooked and chewy. I'm sure it would have been changed without hesitation but my friend is one of those people who still won't complain if food isn't right!

Even so I can recommend this place and will look forward to paying another visit next time I'm in this part of Scotland.

5 Aug 2010 12:37

Quiet Woman, Earl Sterndale

Popped in here after a great walk over Chrome Hill. Marston's pub with at least 4 pulls (Pedigree, Marston's Bitter, Brains Rev. James and Gray's Mild), beer in excellent condition, friendly landlord and locals, great pork pies. Well worth a visit.

4 May 2010 12:47

Y Gwydyr Pub, Dolwyddelan

Dolwyddelan was our stopover on a backpacking trip at the end of December '09 and we couldn't get any response from the farm up the road that advertised camping. Called Y Gwydyr when time was getting tight and not only did the landlord try to track down the farm owner, when this failed he said if we were really stuck we could camp by the pub! Above and beyond.

As for the pub itself: great local real ales including Purple Moose brews, good home-cooked pub grub, friendly locals and a roaring fire. Definitely worth a diversion if you're in this part of Snowdonia.

4 May 2010 12:26