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The Bear, Crickhowell - pub details

Address: High St, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1BW [map] [gmap]

Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 5061) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras

Pub facilities/features:

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> Current user rating: 7.3/10 (rated by 23 users)
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other pubs nearby:

Britannia Inn, Crickhowell (0.0 miles), Corn Exchange, Crickhowell (0.1 miles), Swan Inn, Crickhowell (0.2 miles), Bridge End Inn, Crickhowell (0.2 miles), Vine Tree, Llangattock (0.4 miles) - see more nearby pubs

user reviews of the Bear, Crickhowell

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

5 most recent reviews of 20 shown - see all reviews

Nice, olde worlde coaching inn styled traditional pub. Always busy. At least three Real Ales on tap and pub food available.
normality2000 - 21 Nov 2022 22:21
On a sunny winter's afternoon the light, if anything, emphasised the atmospherically dim interior of this historic inn.

The blazing log fire and comfortable seating made for a cosy visit. The ales and food seemed decent enough, but be aware that there is only skeleton menu and service at off-peak meal times.

But taking in the ancient surroundings, you can't help but wonder, if only walls could speak, then what tales they might tell? There again, you might get the Michael Caine of the Talking Walls World. "Did you know, that that Oscar Wilde always walked beneath an opened umbrella, even when it was not raining? Not a lot of people know that"

Rest, drink, and be thankful.
Hulots_hat - 13 Feb 2020 17:51
I stayed here for a few days recently and it wasn't quite as 'good' as I'd hoped. But plenty of plus points.

Imposing building - there's been some form of inn here for the best part of 600 years and current building is clearly a seriously old coaching inn. The main building is across a couple of levels with the usual small flights of stairs between levels that you'd expect in a place of this age. There is a separate restaurant but one can eat in the bar areas too. The bar areas themselves are large so drinkers and eaters are well catered for in terms of space. I stayed in a room in the 'annex' next door - I expect a converted stable block in an attached imposing courtyard. My room was large, clean and comfy but the furnishing seriously out of date. Good bathroom though.

Inside the main building - low ceilings, dark beams and so on, all as expected in a place this old. But it struck me as bit gloomy rather than 'olde worlde' - perhaps some lighter furniture may help. That said - pleasant atmosphere.

Bar service - as mentioned, the drinking area is spacious but the serving area is pretty small and four or five punters at the bar soon overwhelm the rather inefficient staff.

Ale - lacklustre. On one night had a pint of Rev James, sadly undrinkable. Sent it back and got a pint of 6X - that was adequate at best and they didn't turn the Rev James clip around. A pub like this should, in my view, pride itself on its ale; they didn't.

Food - poor experience in the restaurant, too many things to moan about to list. In the bar on another night it was very good - a decent steak from the highly rated butcher which is 100 yards from the pub. Nice :-)

Its still a 'six' overall from me and worth looking in if you are nearby - Crickhowell is lovely and a superb spot to explore the Brecon Beacons.

Last and least, I've been posting on this site for knocking on 14 years I think. There were a few posts in 2012 and 2014 that on reflexion were probably a bit ill advised and "up my own arse". But I think this is probably my penultimate post - sorry its long and rambling, but the intent of BITE was (and still should be) to allow people who actually love pubs and go in them to pass on their experiences to like-minded individuals.
on_the_brightside - 9 Jan 2020 18:54
Had the best meal here on our recent visit to Wales..we hadn't booked on a busy Sunday lunchtime but easily found a table...fast , efficient service , good ales and excellent food in a cosy, rambling building.
suegwells - 22 Apr 2013 08:50
This seems to be a very well run place - it caters both for drinkers and diners with a great selection of beer and good food. Interesting layout and a lovely village make this an excellent pub.
Floyd - 29 Jul 2012 09:47

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