The next venue on our list was the Edinburgh pub in Wells, which has been a licensed premises since the late eighteenth century. Originally known as the Fighting Cocks, it took the name of the Leicester Arms until 1887 when it was renamed by the Scottish landlord James Alexander Davidson as something he felt to be more agreeable. And that name has stuck since.
Apologies for the lack of real ale photo, but the landlord was standing right behind those pumps most of the time and I didn’t want to be too intrusive. Anyway, they had a choice of three real ales available.
The interior felt reassuringly traditional, with carpet, wood and the sort of layout that still unmistakably feels like a pub. It was all entirely agreeable. The far end of the pub is a restaurant, named Ollies, which seems to be sub-contracted out, so it’s a different operation but still firmly in the same building. That meant this end of the pub is for drinkers and I liked the clarity of the arrangement.
And I liked the nod towards heritage, a bit of local history is good for the soul. Less spiritually nourishing, although potentially more immediately useful, was the bar snack range listed nearby to tempt those of weaker resolve.
I rather like a wheat beer and I went for the Blue Moon, although it’s the first time in a long while that it hasn’t been served with a slice of orange. I managed to contain my disappointment with considerable dignity. Roy went for a Woodforde’s Wherry and I understand that it was well kept and at the appropriate temperature and all that.
I liked this venue and it had a feel of being a proper pub for locals whilst still being welcoming to everyone. It’s a little walk from the quay, but I think it’s worth the little meander.