Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: The Eldon House, Clifton
It was the first day of the cricket World Cup on Thursday, so for one sports fan who had just cycled up Jacob’s Wells Road to get to the Eldon House it was a treat to see cricket on the television after a day of work.
On closer inspection, however, it was not the world’s best in India; but Finland versus Austria on an artificial wicket in the European Cricket League.
There is likely to be a better standard of cricket played by the 1st XI at QEH just the other side of Jacob’s Wells Road from this pub, with staff and pupils occasionally known to mix here just a slog-sweep away from the school.
is needed now More than ever
“Pint of Guinness?” a member of the bar staff asked a white-haired regular as he walked into the Eldon, past a few hardy souls still drinking outside in the first week of October, in an area for tables and chairs fenced off from the road.
He tapped his card but it didn’t work. “Oh, you might have to insert it, darling. Go gentle!”
Gorge Best and Hardrock, both from Cheddar Ales, were the only two cask ales available from five hand pulls on this recent evening, with Good Chemistry’s Pure Optimism among the options on keg.
While Pure Optimism costs £4.90, a handwritten sign on the window advertises student pints for £3.
The Eldon is very conveniently located for the University of Bristol’s Clifton halls with Manor only a few hundred yards away, closely followed by Clifton Hill House and Goldney.
This pub used to originally be even better located, with Clifton Hill once being the main thoroughfare from the city to Clifton.
In the 18th and 19th century, many people who sadly died while visiting Bristol to take the water in Hotwells were buried in the strangers’ burial ground just a bit further up the hill.
As Finland valiantly attempted to chase down Austria’s target in the European Cricket League, it was time to cycle back down Jacob’s Wells Road.
The Eldon House, 6 Lower Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1BT
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Historic former baths to be restored following campaign
- Exploring one pub at a time and drawing each one along the way
- Bristol24/7’s Student Guide returns for 2023
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
