THE CASTLE

You're walking past the castle grounds towards the city centre when Castle View catches your eye—and The Castle pulls you in with the promise of a proper pint. This is unpretentious drinking at its best: wood panelling, low ceilings, and the kind of bar staff who actually remember what you ordered last time. The ale selection punches well above what you'd expect from a neighbourhood pub, rotating guest beers alongside solid regulars, and they take their cask game seriously. It's the sort of place where you can nurse a drink alone or get stuck into conversation with whoever's at the bar—no phones, no forced bonhomie, just good beer and better company.