Set in the heart of stunning Boscastle, this family friendly pub serves home-made food and Cornish ales. The bar has open fires to keep you warm in winter and outside seating for relaxed dining during the summer. Dogs are welcome.
The Bridge
BOSCASTLE
Cornwall
PL35 0HE
Telephone
01840 250278
Jul 2023
Feb 2023
Jan 2023
I suspected after 55 years that the locals would be different, but the 'characters' would be the same. That's the nature of any country pub, isn't it.
The Landlord was less jolly than I romanticised. He even closed the pub at 9.45pm because there was only one visitor; me. The bar staff were equally friendly and helpful when it came to village gossip, less so when it came to directions but experts when it came to 'mobile technology'.
The week's winter menu appeared to revolve around the leftovers of the Sunday carvery. Wednesday's Madras curry was filled out with peppers, (sans spices and advertised naam bread) but I was encouraged by the newly arrived chef that he'd be happy to make it hotter on request. When asked about locally caught fish, he explained that the local fishermen were on holiday (in Spain I believe he said...).
The saving grace, as far as I was concerned, was the evening of locals singing shanties and Cornish folk songs. This and the warmth the older residents showed made the shortcomings and 'tourist-rates' insignificant and my revisit memorable and worthwhile.
Memory colours past experience, I understand, so I can't make any comparisons. My impression after a most pleasant stay in a cottage for a week is the 'Good' is still there after 55 years and the 'Not-So-Good' is connected to the commercial influence. If you wish to see a living caricature of the 'new' Boscastle, pop into the Pottery.
There's nowhere in the world like Boscastle with its history of pirates, bootleggers and highwaymen - and nowhere like The Cobweb. Blessings, one and all - 'WART'
Feb 2022
Aug 2021
Jul 2019