Old Spot Inn

It seems a little strange to review the Old Spot because everyone for miles around who has even a mild interest in real ale will know that this is a fantastic good old traditional pub… a proper drinking hole which attracts people of all ages and from all walks of life for miles around.
If you’re visiting the area don’t pass through Dursley without stopping in at the Old Spot for a pint.
Highly recommended.

Now, where I come from, pubs are two-​a-​penny. Every little town has at least one cosy little ale-​fest-​log-​burning-​snug-​filled treasure for the locals to settle in to, and this is no bad thing, but even for somewhere like Gloucestershire a true gem can be hard to find. And how blessed am I to be able to class this utter treat as my old local!
It’s as homely a place as ever you’d find and the beer is twice as nice. The décor speaks of times gone by, and yet the olde days meet the new, welcoming in the latest generation of real ale drinkers who sup on their Uley bitter, like a duck takes to water. And no, in real ale country we don’t use sparklers. Pints are filled to the top, if you don’t mind, none of that half-​a-​pint-​o-​head business in here!
Yes, in this CAMRA awarded pub you can expect to find the finest brews. The antiquated sit comfortably next to the whipper snappers and drink harmoniously until close, enjoying the lamp heated sheltered garden and cosy interior. Under the steady headship of Steve I don’t think I’ve ever spent a night in here unsatisfied with the ambience, booze and company — this place is the only place to go in Dursley town.

The Old Spot is the definitive pub in Dursley, and no visit to the area by a real ale fan is complete without sampling its charms. As CAMRA National Pub of the Year winner in 2007, Regional Winner (South West) 2008, and Gloucestershire Pub of the Year on numerous occasions, it’s clear that the Old Spot is a must-​visit for beer afficionados!
The food is always excellent, with locally-​sourced ingredients, served 12pm-​8pm on weekdays and until 3pm at the weekends.
Things you should know about the Old Spot:
— there are always 7 or 8 real ales on tap
— the food is inexpensive as well as good :)
— there is NO JUKEBOX!
— there’ll only be a TV on if something big is happening
— there’s a covered and heated smoking area outside (often busier than indoors, particularly during the week!)
And one final thing that doesn’t often get touched upon: this is a music-​friendly, folk-​tending pub that often hosts impromptu sessions as well as planned performances by local musicians, particularly in the summer.
If you visit this corner of the Cotswolds without visiting the Old Spot, you’ve wasted a trip!

Voted CAMRA National Real Ale Pub of the Year 2007. Says it all really. Great pub, with good beer and food. Good mix of clientèle ranging from old duffers to young’uns. Should ideally be located on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment with commanding views over the Severn. Instead it’s sandwiched between May Lane Motors and the bus station. Still, you can’t have everything. It does have a beer garden though…