The Baron of Beef has attempted to grasp for some traditional character, and while all the key points are there, everything looks a bit too new. It’s still a decent place for a pint though.

The Venue
On Bridge Street, in between many restaurants bars and pub, sits the Baron of Beef, a low-key pub with potential for more character than it has.

It's been made into a corridor shape with a bar on one side and various benches, sofas and tables placed on the other.

Thy've opted for an old-fashioned look, with dark wooden floors and tables, and bookshelves filled with leather-bound books and antique lights. However, the look doesn’t quite hit the mark as everything has a polished sheen to it highlighting the lack of age.

The People
Students and locals don’t exactly mingle, but they all come to the Baron of Beef to enjoy a quiet pint away from their essay or job.

There’s not much life to the place during the day, but there's a carefree mood that keeps the tone laidback and peaceful.

The atmospheric lighting can be a tad depressing before dark, but in the evening it adds to the relaxing mood of the customers.

But if it’s a lovely buzz you’re looking for you may be disappointed as the Baron of Beef takes the more nonchalant route.

The Food
Country pub grub without the g-astronomical prices makes the Baron of Beef a good spot for nosh. Classics like ale pie and Yorkshire wraps are a hearty taste of British cuisine.

If you're bored of all that there are more globally influenced dishes such as curry and risotto. Mains are about £6 to £8, including a large selection of burgers for £7 each.

The Drink
The reasonable wine prices combined with the decent selection makes wine a popular choice here. The global range is priced from £10.45 to £16.96 a bottle giving a broad enough spectrum for a simple local pub to please its customers.

It's a Greene King pub so the ale selection includes IPA and Abbot Ale for about £3 a pint. There is also a basic selection of domestic and foreign beers such as Fosters and Heineken for about the same price.

The Last Word
The Baron of Beef has some decent qualities that, combined with a touch more pub spirit, could have made it a special local.

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