The Cherry Tree Inn, Tintern Pub Review

Cherry Tree Inn, Tintern

Posted on 04. Jul, 2010 by Robert Gale in Pubs

The Cherry Tree, Tintern

The Cherry Tree is nestled in the picturesque Angidy Valley in Tintern, Monmouthshire. The area is steeped in history with the site of a 17th century ironworks (including Britain’s first blast furnace) a short distance further up the valley and the 12th century Tintern Abbey around ½ mile down the valley near the River Wye.

The majority of the pub dates from a major extension in the last decade but the small room at the rear of the pub is, according to the landlord, around 400 years and he believes that it has always been used as a drinking establishment. In the census of 1841, there was a licensee at the location.

There is plenty of seating throughout and many tables are dedicated to dining. The rear area is reserved for adults only and there is a beer garden outside.

The Cherry has appeared in 37 editions of the Good Beer Guide from CAMRA, the only pub in Wales to do so. It missed out on the other three editions due the landlord suffering from a stroke and having to close the pub.

The original part of the pub which is around 300-400 years old

Being a Hancocks pub since the 19th century, HB is always available along with up to three guests. The landlord tries to sell predominently Welsh beers from local breweries such as Rhymney, Newmans and Tintern-based Kingstone. He also sells beer from breweries outside but only from small micro breweries.

Available when I visited was Rhymney Export and Hobby Horse and Summerberry Steam from Newmans. Up next were more beers from both breweries along with a beer from West Country brewery, Moles.

Welsh ales at The Cherry Tree, Tintern

The pub used to house the local Post Office and a general store but a few years back the Post Office was closed by Royal Mail and as a result the general store also closed last year. The area that was used for seating outside the general store is now a vegetable patch. I’m not sure if any of the vegetables are used in the extensive menu that is available. All food is prepared in-house and uses locally produced ingredients.

The Cherry is off the beaten track but compared to The Anchor, which is located next to Tintern Abbey, you’re more likely to mingle with Tinternites rather than tourists.

Venue Location

The Cherry Tree Inn

Tintern

Chepstow

NP16 6TH

Tel: 01291 689703

View on Google Street View

Robert Gale (Twitter: @awv)

Beer Taster, Pub Attendee, Photo Taker

Robert Gale likes beer, pubs and beer festivals. He also likes to take photos of beer, pubs and beer festivals. Most weekends of the year you can find him travelling around the UK (and sometimes beyond) photographing and reviewing good quality pubs and beer festivals. He also has a day job in the form of a web developer for Ozum.

Aleman

This is a fantastic little pub that deserves more attention. The beer is always excellent and the atmosphere friendly and relaxed. Highly recommended
http://twitter.com/ArfurD Arfur Daley

Rumour has it the pub has closed and change of use is being sought
http://twitter.com/ArfurD Arfur Daley

Save the Cherry Tree website: http://www.cherrytreefriends.org.uk