Another pub on the long list of places St.Ives has to offer visitors, the Olly Cromwell (to those in the know) is tucked away, off the main street, and situated next to the River Ouse. Inside it's small, often sweaty, but it has more atmosphere than the other pubs put together. That's not to say it's much, just more than Wetherspoons style cut-outs. Seating is fairly ample but gets completely cramped if they're playing sport; there's been more than one time I've forgotten this fact, turned up and nabbed a seat, only to have someone rear end stuck in my face the entire time.
Drinking here sees you ordering wine, spirits, local cider, or proper ale. The clientele ranges from drinkers who sit at the bar all day to Saturday nighters attempting to avoid the fray of the Music Box, otherwise known as the only club in St.Ives. Food used to be amazing, with the best sausage sandwich and chips in town, but as numbers through the door have increased it's started to try and be more than it really is, meaning the chips are lacking and I've been eating here less and less on my trips home.
Go, grab a table, and sup on some ale. Just don't go when there's a match on. read more