Cornwall

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

LocAle Pubs

A guide to Cornwall's pubs and clubs selling locally brewed beer (LocAle)

  • Bolingey
    • Bolingey Inn Penwartha Road Bolingey TR6 0DH Telephone(01872) 571626

      Tucked away in a small hamlet and approached by narrow roads, this small but attractive 17th-century pub has a limited car park, but it is equipped with a hitching rail for equestrian patrons. The Bolingey has two bars, one of which can double as a restaurant and the other, with its wooden floor and open fire, more for drinking. One of the four handpumps is free of tie and will generally supply an additional local brew to the permanent Doom Bar, as well as a couple of variable guests taken imaginatively from the Punch listings. Beer festivals ares held twice per year, April and October. The pub is proud to advertise the use of local produce in its menus. Nearest buses are in Perranporth (1450m).

  • Botallack
    • Queen's Arms Botallack Road Botallack TR19 7QG Telephone(01736) 447330

      Small, pleasant and traditional village local, beamed and built of granite, not far from Land's End and the coastal path. The guest beers are a summer feature and are usually from a Cornish microbrewery, such as Cornish Crown or Penpont; the cider (also summer only) is from nearby Skreach Farm. Although converted to a single bar, there are several distinct drinking areas including a separate family room, and a spacious beer garden. Mining pictures around the walls reflect the once-dominant local industry. Known for its imaginative and good-quality food, which is available daily 12:00-14:30 and 18:00-21:00. Accommodation is in one self-catering double room. A good bus service stops - literally - outside the door.

  • Bugle
    • Bugle Inn 57 Fore Street Bugle PL26 8PB Telephone(01726) 850307

      Lively, welcoming family-run village-centre local, named after the sound of the horn of passing stagecoaches. Situated in the heart of the china clay district, many of the pub's customers are associated with this industry. This comfortable pub has a large Z-shaped bar. The pub is family-friendly and has five ensuite B&B rooms, making it an ideal base for touring the county or visiting the Eden project only 5km away. Hearty home-cooked meals are served all day, with breakfast available from 0800. Live music most Sunday evenings. The pub is very busy on the day of the annual silver band festival in June.

  • Charlestown
    • Harbour Beer House Charlestown Road Charlestown PL25 3NJ Telephone(01726) 627120

      This modern bar, next to the Pier House Hotel, on the waterfront is a modern conversion of an old warehouse, using exposed stone and wooden flooring, and a large glass front doorway. Views over the harbour and the historic tall ships often moored there. Food is pizza, served all day. The bar has a large screen television for sporting events. Nowadays a craft beer bar, with cans and bottles from numerous leading breweries from the south-west and beyond. The bar is operated by Harbour Brewery, part-owned by St Austell Brewery.

  • Falmouth
    • Boathouse Beacon St, Trevethan Hill Falmouth TR11 2AG Telephone(01326) 315425

      Large family-orientated pub on two levels, up a short but steep hill on the edge of the town centre. The interior is decorated like a wooden boat, with a decked balcony affording outdoor drinking and impressive river views. The lower level consists of a cosy family room inside the front door; most of the action takes place upstairs where a single bar faces a long wood-floored room of unusual shape, but with distinct drinking/dining areas adjoining. The four beers vary but at least two are normally Cornish and a local area brewery is usually represented on one of the handpumps. The cider is also frequently varied and may be something unusual for the area. Food is available daily; well-behaved children are welcome with parents but must be off the premises by 20:30.

  • Gwithian
    • Red River Inn 1 Prosper Hill Gwithian TR27 5BW Telephone(01736) 753223

      This pleasant, convivial and family-friendly free house is well worth seeking out among the sand dunes of Hayle Towans; the pub is now in effect a gastropub.. The long bar room has a wood floor and panels, some chapel seating, and a wood-burning stove. There are no noisy machines or TV in the bar. The pub name refers to the nearby river, which once ran red with tin ore processing waste from the district's mine workings. Bus services to the village run mainly only in the summer season, although a regular hourly service (T2) is found at Treeve (Bar Lane), 1750m walk away.

  • Lizard
    • Witchball Lighthouse Road Lizard TR12 7NJ Telephone(01326) 290662

      This single-bar small pub claims the status of the most southerly pub in Britain. Once a 15th-century cottage, it has became a pub although no food is served for now. There are a few cosy seats for drinking in the bar area which has very low original black beams, a larger annex providing more drinking space, and there is a stove by the centre wall. A large roadside seating area at the front provides for fair-weather drinking, and there are working wells behind and to the front of the pub. The real ales can vary but are always from local breweries. Quiz night is Saturday.

  • Mawgan Porth
    • Merrymoor Mawgan Porth TR8 4BA Telephone(01637) 860258

      Originally a café whose owner served in the North Africa campaign, hence the name. Now an atmospheric pub run by the same family since 1961, it is very much at the heart of the local community and raises huge sums for charity every year. Large picture windows overlook the sandy beach just 50m away. It is naturally very busy in the season, but boasts a large beer garden, a spacious main bar and a separate family room, all of which prevent any feeling of overcrowding. Parking is limited, but there is ample pay-parking at the rear. Locally sourced food is prepared and cooked on the premises, with fish featuring prominently on the menu. Accommodation is in seven ensuite rooms.

  • Newquay
    • Towan Blystra 12-16 Cliff Road Newquay TR7 1SG Telephone(01637) 852970

      Conveniently situated on the main street into town a short walk from the railway station, hotels and beaches, this is a traditional Wetherspoon's shop conversion with partitions offering some privacy to drinkers. The walls are adorned with pictures of old Newquay, Towan Blystra being the former name for Newquay before the arrival of the railway and tourism. A narrow drinking terrace overlooks the main street, while disabled access is via an alley off Springfield Road at the rear.

  • Pendoggett
    • Cornish Arms Pendoggett PL30 3HH Telephone(01208) 880263

      This welcoming and picturesque 16th century coaching inn offers a good and varying selection of draught and bottled ales and 'craft' brews, many of them from Cornish breweries. The guest beer is rotated around the various Cornish microbreweries. The pub used to have its own brewery - one landlord's daughter allegedly drowned in the vat! Its quiet, charming interior boasts a main bar, snug, two drinking/dining areas and a separate restaurant. A range of home-cooked food is available. Flagstone floors, wood-panelled walls, partitions and the furnishings all reflect the pub's age, with open fires adding to the ambience. Caricatures of locals and a collection of handbells decorate the bar. Occasional live music appears at weekends. A friendly locals' pub, well worth finding.

  • Penzance
    • Crown Victoria Square Penzance TR18 2EP Telephone(01736) 351070

      This is a real locals' pub on the corner of a rare and quiet Victorian residential square in the town centre, tucked away behind the main shopping street. Brewery tap for the Cornish Crown Brewery, it is essentially a one-room local, tidily furnished with upholstered window bench seats and huge mirror covering one wall, and a cosy two-table snug at the rear. Outside drinking is on a small L-shaped patio overlooking the street. The Cornish Crown beer selection varies according to availability. No food, but you may bring your own; plates can be provided. The pub is a short walk from the bus and railway stations. Monday night is acoustic music and on Tuesday there is a quiz.

  • Polkerris
    • Rashleigh Inn Polkerris PL24 2TL Telephone(01726) 814685

      This attractive free house is a former Coastguard watch house and boathouse, converted to replace a pub called the General Elliott, lost during a storm and floods when the sea wall collapsed in 1915. Situated down a steep wooded valley by the Saints' Way path and bordering an isolated beach, it boasts fine panoramic views of St. Austell and Mevagissey Bays. The changing beers increase from two in the winter to up to four during the summer months; the beers are generally selected from the ranges of Castle, Tremethick, Firebrand, St Ives, Treens or other SW breweries, not St Austell or Doom Bar! The comfortable split-level lounge has exposed stonework, beamed ceilings and open fires with attractive furnishings, and a splendid slate-topped bar. Adjoining is a cosy restaurant where excellent food is served. Children are allowed (with parents) in the saloon bar eating area; well-behaved dogs on leads are permitted throughout. Pub games include shove ha'penny, dominoes, the famous hook & ring game and other board game classics. This pub, close also to the SW coastal footpath, is well worth finding, summer or winter, and is the perfect place to watch the setting sun.

  • Rosudgeon
    • Packet Inn Rosudgeon Rosudgeon TR20 9QE Telephone(01736) 762240

      This small but vibrant, family-run free house enjoys a reputation for good beer and decent food. The single bar divides into separate drinking and dining areas, and is formed of the traditional exposed stonework, slate floors and wooden furnishings that give pubs such as this their atmosphere and character. The adjoining conservatory offers additional drinking or dining space. Outside drinking is on a patio and paved garden at the rear. Accommodation is in a separate self-catering cottage. The buses stop outside the door.

  • St Austell
    • Rann Wartha 9 Biddick's Court St Austell PL25 5EW Telephone(01726) 222940

      Situated in the centre of town in the former Conservative Club building, this comfortable and well-appointed Wetherspoon pub is almost entirely on the upper level, but easily accessed by disabled customers either up a ramp or by lift from ground level; the pub's name translates as 'Higher Quarter'. Popular locally, the pub appeals to all ages and families. Although open plan, there are several distinct seating areas for drinking and eating; décor includes portraits of locally historic people associated with the china clay history. The spacious L-shaped bar has handpumps set out along each leg so you have to go round the corner to check the full range of up to 7 different ales. There is the core offering from the normal JDW range of brews, but there may be changing beers on, variable in number but up to 4. Cider is Weston's Old Rosie and Orchard Pig. Parking is in a large public car park nearby.

  • St Columb Major
    • Ring O'Bells 3 Bank Street St Columb Major TR9 6AT Telephone(01637) 880259

      Former brewpub with narrow frontage which belies an extensive interior of four rooms and three bars catering for all tastes. Each bar has its own character and custom; the small middle bar attracts drinkers, the front bar and downstairs room at the very rear are frequented by diners, with the intimate rear bar for both. The pub was opened in the 15th century to celebrate the church tower, hence the name. Décor is rustic throughout, with assorted wooden furnishings including settles, while wood-burning stoves add to the ambience and comfort in winter. Very old pumpclips adorn the walls of the middle bar. Separate room for families and functions.

  • St Mawgan
    • Falcon Inn St Mawgan TR8 4EP Telephone(01637) 860225

      This attractive community pub sits at the centre of a small village in the idyllic setting of the unspoilt Lanherne valley, and offers a quiet retreat only a few km from the bustle of Newquay and the airport. The single bar interior exudes a warm, welcoming atmosphere, with the décor reflecting country life. The pub is popular for meals, served in a separate dining room where local art is displayed. Family-friendly, the pub has a large award-winning garden, and a games room. The Falcon name comes from the habit of the local gentry raising their standard when a service was about to be held, in the days of the Reformation.

  • St Newlyn East
    • Pheasant Inn Churchtown St Newlyn East TR8 5LJ Telephone(01872) 510237

      This is a pleasant traditional stone-fronted two-bar village pub opposite the church, the centre of a vibrant community and frequented by a mix of customers. Families are welcome, and the pub supports local teams including darts, euchre, pool and football. The Pheasant enjoys a good reputation for value home-cooked meals with locally-sourced produce - the local butcher supplies his own meat. The large car park is accessed via a narrow access to the rear. Nearby are Trerice Manor (National Trust) and the Lappa Valley Railway for narrow gauge steam enthusiasts; regular buses run during the week.

  • Stratton
    • King's Arms Howells Road Stratton EX23 9BX Telephone(01288) 352396

      A popular locals' local in the heart of this ancient market town, this is a 17th century coaching inn whose name reflects the town's political loyalties after the Civil War - the battle of Stamford Hill took place near here in 1643. The pub has many original features including two simply-furnished bars with many original features, including well worn Delabole slate flagstone and wooden floors. During renovation of the large open fireplace in the lounge, a small bread oven was exposed. The real ale choice iwas recently reported a s rather limited.Draught cider is usually available in summer only. The pub supports darts teams, and four letting rooms are available, one of which is ensuite. Good disabled access.

  • Trebellan
    • Smugglers' Den Inn Trebellan TR8 5PY Telephone(01637) 830209

      This comfortable thatched 16th-century free house comes with a smuggling history and resident ghost. Up to 4 real ales at any one time may be offered, reducing to 2 during the winter months. The pub is large and rambling, with original oak-beamed ceilings, paved courtyards to front and rear and many cosy corners inside all adding to the olde-world charm of the place. The approach down steep narrow lanes is worth the effort for the beer and excellent meals - there is a restaurant area - and a large family room, while the big open fireplace is a focal point in winter. A regular Ale & Pie festival is held on May Day weekend, and there are also regular jazz or folk evenings, plus quiz and pie nights. Food 12:00-14:30 (15:00 Sat, 16:00 Sun), and evenings 18:00-21:00 (21:30 Fri&Sat). Convenient for adjacent camping and caravan sites, the pub is also accessible daytimes by a bus service from Truro or Newquay if you are prepared to walk the hilly 600m or so from the Cubert road. Note that the pub's opening hours may be subject to seasonal variations.

  • Treleigh
    • Treleigh Arms Basset Road Treleigh TR16 4AY Telephone(01209) 315095

      Expect warm, friendly service at this single bar, stone-built locals' pub at the eastern end of Redruth. A large, comfortable bar room features exposed stone walls and includes a wood burner at each end, and there is a separate dining room offering mainly locally-produced food including coeliac and vegetarian options. The emphasis here is on Cornish ales (selection may vary), and there is a large choice of wines; draught cider appears in summer. Well-behaved dogs are welcome; there are no intrusive TV or games machines, but a boules/pétanque piste is available. Quiz night is on Tuesdays and a folk club is on the last Friday of the month. Buses pass Mount Ambrose on the main road into Redruth, about 15 min walk away.