Arbury, King's Hedges and Chesterton

Formerly the Dog and Pheasant, this pub was renamed the Golden Pheasant, and has now become "The Dog and Pheasant bar and Saigon City Restaurant". The food, which in the original pub was burgers and chips, can now be chosen from a large menu of Chinese food as well as dishes from various countries in Indo-China. The layout of this establishment exemplifies the meeting of two cultures. In one of its previous incarnations the pub had a traditional two-bar (lounge and public) layout. Now the lounge bar is a restaurant area, while the other half retains its pub feel, although you can choose to eat in the pub side at lunchtimes (and equal drink beer in the restaurant). Food is mainly typical of a Chinese restaurant with dishes ranging from £5 to £10 and rice, etc at around £2. Service was very quick service, although on our visit the pub almost empty, and the portions are large and very tasty. Chopsticks are provided. To the rear is a large beer garden, and real fires burn in both the restaurant and the pub.

Formerly the Fleur-de-lys, this establishment has changed dramatically in its latest incarnation. Gone is the dark Victorian interior and kitsch decor. A new sophisticated look shows that this pub has definitely gone up market. Although it retains its two bars they are now of brushed steel. A selection of low and tall elegant black painted wooden tables are surrounded by high wooden stools and chairs. Venetian blinds adorn the windows and uniformed waiters serve at the tables. The menu at the "Fleur Bistro" includes: shares (£1.50-£5.50), small meals (£4-£9), large meals (£6-£13), salads (£8-£9) and sandwiches/wraps (£5-£7). Other nibbles are less than £1. Loud background music played during our visit, and although is was not full on this particular Saturday lunchtime, they had only just begun serving their food menu.

This large Greene King establishment has a picturesque setting . The front beer garden overlooks midsummer common, and is filled with large tables and sports a flagpole. To the rear are more tables, overlooking the Cam, making a pleasant location for a pub lunch. The interior is wood-panelled with wooden floorboards, and around the walls are decorative whisky bottles. The darkness of the wood contrasts with the brightly coloured juke box which stands in the corner next to a fruit machine. There is a pub TV in the corner of the bar, and (on our summer's day visit) two football table games were located just outside the pub by the main entrance. The pub has changed little since our last visit in 2000, other than prices. The menu includes salads (£5.50;-£6.25), snacks to share (£3-£7), burgers (£5-£6, chips extra at £1) and soup (£3), with other dishes costing up to £8. The meals are certinly very filling, and the chips in particular are to be commended.

The walls are of plastered timber-framing in part refaced or rebuilt in brick; the roofs are tiled. It was built in the 16th century on a T shaped plan, the cross range being to the south. In the 19th century and since, additions have been made flanking the small north wing and on the east. A sketch dated 1827 of the inn shows that it stood on an island between the river and a channel to a lock which was close to the south east. On the south, the ground floor is brick faced, and the first floor projects on curved timber brackets; the windows are modern. The gabled east and west ends are partly refaced with brick where not obscured. Inside access is into a staircase-lobby on the south side of the great central chimney stack. In the east room are exposed chamfered ceiling beams, the longitudinal beam in the west room is cased.

Source: Royal Commission for Historic and Ancient Monuments, 1957

Formerly the Fresher and Firkin, this pub was at one time the largest pub in Cambridge. Now called The Graduate, it has long since been dwalfed by more recent town-centre venues. An unfortunate change since the refurbishment is that the seating overlooking the picturesque river scene has been removed. In its place are two pool tables and an arcade game. The brightly decorated interior is illuminated with strangely shaped coloured lights. There are a number of TV screens, video games and fruit machines, but most entertaining is the jumbo sized "Connect 4" game. Even at lunch time, the juke box played loud music to a largely empty pub. The food menu includes fried breakfasts, burgers, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, sizzling steaks and a range of traditional pub grub. Portions are large, and all meals are under five pounds. On our visit, the service was rather slow.

This sizeable pub is on the outer limits of Cambridge. It is quite an ordinary sort of pub, with wooden furniture and carpeted floors. The seating is arrange in small areas, some of which have fire places. The central bar is raised under an stained-glass atrium. Together with the large windows, this makes for a very light interior, particularly in the rear conservatory. The pub has a several fruit, quiz and games machines, two pool tables, a projection TV and a jukebox. A function room is available for hire. On the wood-panelled walls hang a number of portraits and pictures with a brewery theme. The John Barras menu includes starters (£2-£4), dishes to share (£5), snadwiches (£2.50-£4), burgers (£3-4), main meals (£3.50-£7), salads (£4-5), jacket potatoes (£2-£3), side orders, Sunday lunch, and desserts (£2-£2.50). There is a two-for-one offer on meals served between 3pm and 8.30pm on Mondays to Thursdays. The portions were quite large. Two very different crowds frequent this pub - during lunchtimes and early evenings it is home to the Science Park crowd, but as the evening progresses the pub has a very different feel as the locals take over.

With its beer garden situated next to the river, this picturesque pub is in a pleasant location. This popular establishment features bar billiards, darts and Sky TV. On our Saturday lunchtime visit, customers were gathered around the TV watching a football match. The pub interior is quite dark, with carpeted flooring and half-panelled walls. Pictures on the wall depict Victorian Chesterton. Food is served from 12pm to 2:30pm and 6pm until 9pm, and 12pm to 2pm on Sundays. The menu includes starters and snacks (£2.50 - £5), sandwiches (£2-£3), salads (£5) jacket potatoes (£2-£4), traditional main courses (£4-6) and desserts (£2-£3). The pub specialises in locally produced hand-made sausages, and come served with a variety of vegetables or egg and chips for between £5-£6.

" The Green Dragon has a great pub quiz on Tuesdays. "

A range of four tenements, the Green Dragon inn of two storeys with attics has plastered timber framed walls and tile covered roofs. It was built in the 16th century with two wings at the back; additions have since been made beside and on the ends of the wings.The building is of note as a long timber-framed range in the 16th century. Inside, the building contains longitudinal chamfered ceiling beams. In the inn is an early 18th century fixed cupboard with doors in two heights of fielded panels the upper arched hung between side panels

Source: Royal Commission for Historic and Ancient Monuments, 1957

This is one of the more attractive Pubmaster pubs we have visited. It is a large, traditionally styled pub with a central bar. It has carpeted floors and painted walls, with some wood panelling. Around the walls hang mirrors, pictures of iconic 60's musicians and film stars. The furniture is wooden, with upholstered chairs and some cushioned seating. There are fruit and quiz machines, pool table and two dart boards. A stage in one corner hosts amateur bands. There is also a projection TV. To the rear of the pub is a car park and beer garden. The food menu (which states "warm beer, lousy food") includes a large range of dishes: "sizzling steaks" (£8-10); "funky fillers" (e.g. sausage & mash, chilli, steak in ale pie, vegetable lassagne for around £6); all day breakfast (£4.25 including orange juice, tea or coffea); dishes to share, (e.g. nachoes £3.25-£4.25), calamari, white bait and salad (£4.25); corn wraps with chicken, beef or vegetable fillings (£3.95); a variety of "rock 'n' roll" burgers (£5) including salad, fries or onion rings; baguettes and sandwiches (£4) including chips and salad.

Although it claims to serve food every day, the Jolly Waterman isn't open on a Saturday lunchtime, so we have yet to dine at the pub since 1996. Our (very) old review follows.

" Try out the new Jolly Waterman and you will find it has vastly improved! "

This Hungry Horse pub is rather large, and is popular at lunchtimes. Some time since our last visit, it has thankfully lost its rather tacky Cambridge College theme which seemed rather old given the pub's distance from the town centre. The carpeted interior, split into many small areas and on many levels, is now more tastefully decorated with dark wood, salmon pink and brown walls, stylish vases and some Victorian features. Outside there is a beer garden with plenty of seating and a play area for children. To the rear is a spacious car park. Food is served all day from Hungry Horse menus, of which there are many. The main menu offers starters (£2-£9), steaks (£7-£10), burgers (£5-£6), fish (£6-£8), salads (£6), pasta (£5-£6.50), "lite" bites (£3.50-£4.50), Sunday roast (£6.50), side orders (£0.50-£2) and desserts (£0.60-£3.70). Of particular note are the "big plate" meals, which as the name suggests, are served on big 17 inch plates. Such dishes include the 17 inch sausage. Another menu promotes a selection of sandwiches, while another is for kids meals. There is also a wine list. We found the service to be good. There are various special offers on particular days, and credit cards are accepted.

Formerly The Pike and Eel, this pub changed its name to the Penny Ferry in late 2004. On our visit, it seemed that little had changed - even the menus were still branded with the old name. The pub is situated in a pleasant location overlooking the river and Stowbridge Common beyond. At lunch time, many tables are set for dining, giving rise to a restaurant atmosphere. Through the many large windows, and from the beer garden, you can watch boats going past while you eat. The menu includes pub classics such as sausage and mash, lasagne, scampi, and fish and chips for between £4.55 and £6.05. Other options include salads (£5.45-£5.95), kids' meals (£3.50), burgers (£4.45-£4.75), baguettes (with chips for £4.25-£5), steaks (£8.25-£13.50) jacket potatoes (£3.50) and a range of starters (£1.75-£2.85) and desserts (£1.50-£2.50). On Sundays, roasts are available (£3.95-£5.95). The portions are sizeable, and service is good. It appears that the pub was once quite small, and that it was extended towards the river, creating a lower seating area with a wooden beamed ceiling and skylights, partitioned from the upper bar by bannisters and decorative glass panelling. The walls feature pictures of Cambridge colleges and fruit, which compliment the place mats. There are a couple of TVs, some fruit machines and a fire. A children's playground, beer garden and car park surround the pub on the river side.

The Boathouse, situated near the river, was renovated in 2003. The main door and bar were both moved and a ramp was added to provides wheelchair access. This large and bright pub has a picturesque beer garden adjacent to the river. Armchairs give it a cosy feel as do the pictures of yachts which adorn the walls. Several TVs are suspended from the ceiling. The two swing benches (one indoor and one out) seem to have gone since last year. Mostly wooden floors (with some carpet) become decking toward the rear and this extends seamlessly to an outdoor area. Space heaters keep punters warm in the colder months in this unique all-wood beer garden which cascades down to a the river (a gate provides access). The menu is identical to that of the Baron of Beef, and includes jacket potatoes (£4.25), traditional meals (£4.75-£6.00), burgers (£4.75-£5.25), baguettes (£4.50), "in the skillet" (£5.50-£7.00), side (£1.75-£2.75), snack & share (£2.50-£6.50) and salads (£5.00). Desserts such as ice cream and apple pie are available for around £2-£2.50. A Saturday offer bundles brunch with a newspaper for £4.50, while on Mondays and Tuesdays a one and a half pound rump steak comes with a free drink. Although bustling at lunch, service was quick.

Although it was closed for some time and left in a poor state, this pub was renovated in 2003. Jethro and Terri welcome you to what is a much improved establishment which specialises in real ales and whisky. The large interior is divided into public and lounge bars. The latter has very plush sofa area and section set aside for eating - including armchairs and dining tables interspersed. The walls are painted orange and green (not as bad as it sounds) and the pictures have a beer and spirit related theme as well as drawings and maps of Cambridge. An old piano and pot plants complete the cosy affect. The public bar (inaccessible from the lounge bar) is more sparsely furnished and also houses two pool tables. The landlord clearly enjoys collecting things; around the pub can be found collections of beer mats, key rings, beer mugs, beer bottles and whiskey bottles. More recently, the pub has become completely no-smoking, and half of the large car park in front of the pub has been converted into a beer garden. Bunting and decorative lights are strung across the area giving it an enclosed feel. The new menu includes baguettes (£2.00-£3.00), snacks (including burgers) (£1.25-£3.00), meat and fish (£4.75 - £7.00) vegetarian (£5.50) desserts (£1.75-£3.00) and hot drinks (£1.00-£2.75). There is also a kids menu. On Wednesday nights there is a quiz, and the pub holds occasional beer festivals and live music events. Quiz and fruit machines add to the entertainment. Above all, this community pub has a friendly atmosphere, and we there recommend this pub.

" Just thought I'd up-date you, we are now totally smoke free and have transformed half the car park into a garden. food is served every session and we have a much wider choice of meals. The public bar has now been furnished with new chairs and lots more breweriana. "

This Hungry Horse pub is quite picturesque, with lots of greenery and hanging baskets around its exterior. Inside, it is large, light and open plan, with a cream and red colour schema, carpeted floors, ceiling fans, upholstered furniture and wooden tables. Around the walls hang old advertisements, pictures, portraits and large mirrors. In one area there are a couple of sofas, perhaps too close for comfort to the dart board. There are also fruit machines, a pool table and TV. The "Filling Station" food menu includes starters (£2-4), burgers (£2-3), sizzlers (which really do sizzle for £3-5), pub favourites (such as fish and chips for £3-5), desserts (£1.50-2) and baguettes (£1.20-2.50). Service was good, and the portions were large and tasty. This pub was quite busy on our Saturday lunchtime visit.

" On our last visit there was no food being served - despite the sign outside to the contrary. "

This large Scottish and Newcastle pub is located just north of the Cam. Its recent renovation has brought some much needed light into this pub. The tiled conservatory is particularly fine, with a fireplace set in a bare brick wall and non-smoking area, and is pleasant on warm day. It offers a view over the very uneven decked beer garden (which could have come from the Ground Force team), which is home to a number of large, 8-seat tables and an amusing water feature (an old spring, get it?). The rest of the pub has wooden floors with rugs. The bar has an inset display of wine bottles. Some of the ceiling beams have witty quotes written on them, eg. "Who took the cork out of my lunch" - WC Fields. The lunchtime menu includes starters (£2-£5) sandwiches (£3-£5), jacket potatoes (£3-£4), main courses (£5-£10) and desserts for around £5, although on our latest visit, only the burgers were available. The food is good and filling. Tuesday night is Quiz night at The Old Spring.

Refurbished in 2004, this large Greene King pub has recently undergone another makeover. The saloon bar has modern wood panelling and light wood floors. The smaller of the two bars, formerly a "netbar" containing four PCs, is now a non-smoking area. It has cream and green decor, a fireplace, a tiled floor, wooden tables and some soft seating. To the rear is a patio beer garden. Food is served 12pm-2:30pm (3pm on Sundays) and 5.30pm-8pm. The menu includes snacks (£2-£3), jacket potatoes (£3) and baguettes. Main courses cost £3.45-£5, and include omelette and salad, burgers, soup, and homemade pie. There are also themed food nights (Wednesday fish, Thursday curry, Sunday roast). The pub also has a programme of live music events. On several of our Saturday visits we've heard bands practicing, ranging in musical style from jazz to rock.

" This the pub has had a change of tenant and there has been a number of significant changes. Including the netbar changing into a non-smoking lounge bar, pool table in main bar, new food menu, complete redecoration of the exterior and opening of the beer garden. "

The Ship, on the outskirts of Cambridge, has a "locals feel". On our most recent visit, the pub no longer served food, although we were assured that the kitchens would soon be coming back into service. The pub interior has two bars, of which one was out of service - presumably the pub is undergoing some renovation. The walls are light green, the ceiling is a dark red, and the floor is carpeted. The furniture is upholstered, some of which is on a raised area. The pub has a number of TVs, including a projection TV which shows sporting events - the bar was decorated with Six Nations flags. There is also a dart board, juke box, quiz machine, fruit machine, pool table, live music and discos.

" This pub was shut up on our last visit "

Formerly the Snowcat, this Greene King pub was been renamed and refurbished in 2002. Its upholstered furniture and open plan interior architecture is in keeping with its location in a 1960's comunity precinct. Its high ceiling and large windows give it a light and airy feel. The floor is carpeted, with some raised areas. From the walls, decorated in a cream and burgundy colour scheme, hang modern pictures. Entertainments include video games, fruit machines, a dart board, a pool table and even karaoke events. There is also a pub quiz night and dance evenings on Fridays and Saturdays. A sign indicates that children aged over three are welcome (presumably accompanied by adults!). On Saturday lunch times, the pub is busy with a mix of families playing pool, and elderly clientele watching TV. There is quiet background music. Since our last visit in 2002, the menu has been expanded. The menu includes burgers (£3.25,-£4), 1/2lb rump steak (£4.99), baguettes (£3-£3.50), salads (£4), jacket potatoes (£3), main courses such as (fish & chips, sausage & mash) £3.75-£5 and a range of side orders. However, on our latest visit, the pub was temporarily not serving food due to a staff shortage.

This pub closed for refurbishment in Feb. 1999 but never reopened. It was demolished to make way for housing. For what it's worth, here's the old review.