Berkeley Arms, Purton

Reached across the lift bridge over the Gloucester & Sharpness canal, this is a completely unspoiled, no-frills rural pub. It doubles up with a smallholding in the way that so many rural pubs did in times gone by. The red-brick building with views of the River Severn has a long history with the central part being extended in the mid 19th century. A part-glazed exterior porch has bare benches on both sides. Through the front door is a hall with a red and black tiled floor laid diagonally and a settle that goes to the private quarters and a door on the left leads to the public bar.

The present arrangement of a tiny drinking area in front of a servery (with old counter and bar-back shelves) probably dates from Victorian times. It has a quarry-tiled floor laid diagonally, old dado panelling and a bare window seat. It is in this tiny area you will find a loyal band of locals drinking and chatting to the licensee about all things local and beyond.

On the left through an old door that is always open is a separate room with a genuinely old flagstone floor, large curved high-backed settle, large stone fireplace with a log burner, two old tables, a piano (which is still played occasionally) and a hatch to the side of the servery. The only recent change was the building of indoor toilets behind this room in the 1960s.

This is one of a fast disappearing type of pub offering the essentials of good conversation and good beer - there is no food, no TV, no pool table, no fruit machine (and piped music is at a very low level).

This pub closes for the winter on 26th October 2015 and will not re-open until 18th March 2016. The hours are 7-10pm plus 12-2 on Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays. When the pub is open the gate will be open so please do not attempt to visit the pub if the gate (where opening hours are displayed) is closed.