At last, sunshine in Bristol. We’re pretty confident everyone’s going to be flocking to their nearest and best beer garden this weekend. There’s nowhere we’d rather be than with a cold pint of cider on a sunny day anyway. If you do fancy visiting a pub garden, but are worried they might be a little… oversubscribed, why not make the quick trip to Somerset?
Here you’ll find one of the best beer gardens in England. Last year, The Rising Sun in Pensford was named the second-best in the country. But see as the number one spot went to The Watering Hole in Cornwall -which is more of a beer beach than anything else – that’s good going for the Somerset pub.
Just a 15-minute drive from Bristol (or half an hour if you want to jump on the Mendip Explorer bus) “it feels worlds away thanks to its idyllic countryside location.” You can’t miss it, the pub’s painted blue! The Rising Sun offers stunning views of the River Chew and Pensford Viaduct. Plus, it has a relaxed atmosphere that all can enjoy – is that the sound of a waterfall, nearby?
The St Austell-owned pub also stocks a selection of beers and ales on tap, as well as wines, spirits and cocktails. But we recommend grabbing a fresh home-cooked meal in the riverside garden before the short drive home. The gastropub’s huge beer-battered fish ‘n’ chips should attract special mention.
The picturesque village of Pensford is pretty spectacular too – with some wonderful walks of the surrounding area – full of cute cottages. Meanwhile, one of the largest stone circles in the country isn’t too far away. Take a tour of Stanton Drew stone circles, which are believed to have been built about 4,500 years ago, before heading back to the pub.