Monday 19 July 2010

Greenhouse, Llantarnam

Popped into one of my former regular old haunts for the first time in years and what a change for the better since SA Brain have taken this pub over. I used to work on a nearby business park a few years ago and regularly popped in here for a pint or two afterwards. In those days Greene King owned the pub and the real ale was often hit and miss - too often miss. Luckily Brains bought the pub and have done wonders for it. A refurbishment has knocked the two bars into through into one but this has improved the pub, exposing the old wooden beams and creating a bar servery more suited towards serving the customer. Previously the 2 bar layout did not work as the staff tended to congregate in one bar talking to their mates whilst the customers were in the lounge. The bar was also a bit tatty and I would rather drink in the more comfortable lounge anyway.
The old wooden beams are matched by flagstone and dark wood floors with bar stools, settles and a dining area all giving a choice of seating. The pub is set in extensive grounds with a very large garden out to the rear of the building and a car park to the side. Easily reached by public transport as well as there is a bus stop outside.
There are three handpumps dispensing Brains beers - Brains have used their unique eye-level dispense pumps on this pub, something they reserve for their better quality outlets. Not a bad pint of Brains bitter as well, served in a branded glass. Gwynt Y Ddraig cider is also available in bottles. There are some old photographs of the pub on the walls, taken when it was owned by Phillips Brewery of Newport.
The Greenhouse is situated next to the parish church of St John and is an old building, though has been extended throughout the years.
On the outside is an unique stone pub sign, written in Welsh which says:
The Greenhouse
1719
Good Beer
And Cider for You
Come in you shall taste it

Not a bad pub and a vast improvement on what it was like before.
Newport Road
Llantarnam, 
Cwmbran, 
Torfaen, 
NP44 3BP

Google Maps does not show the exact site of the pub so here is the adjacent bus stop:

View Untitled in a larger map

Journey Planner:

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