The White Hart has all you'll want from a public house.

They say that when looking round to buy a new house you can usually tell if you like a place within the first 11 seconds of entering it.The same should apply to pubs.

In fact I think that within seven seconds of my first visit to The White Hart, Holywell Hill, St Albans, I knew everything was going to be okay.

As you open the latch on the door you are transported into a traditional pub atmosphere of relative darkness with any number of nooks and crannies that you can hide yourself in, if you feel the need.

If not, you can take your pick from the relative quiet of the lounge area or the more boisterous bar, where a group of workers were clearly enjoying their post-work wind-down. A large beer garden at the back allows relaxation in these summer months.

When I dropped in, the bar was bedecked with England flags. Sadly, three days later they had outlived their use.

A myth circulating round this office claims that the hotel rooms upstairs may be haunted which could only add to the ambiance.

The live music on Sunday nights probably gets them stomping.

In terms of drinks on offer, it has the usual selection including a nice range of real ales, and all at a very low price starting at £1.50 for a pint of Tetleys, £1.65 for lager and £1.70 for Murphys. Most reasonable, you have to agree.

The pub also boasts a large menu with the standard stock of pub fare.

Choose from the usual suspects of jacket potatoes, burgers, steaks, plus a nice line in sandwiches, and desserts also on offer.

And this is the real essence of The White Hart. It's a no frills pub that doesn't pretend to be something it isn't.

It has all the necessary ingredients that you want from a pub and all delightfully packaged with an excellent level of service from staff members.

July 3, 2002 17:30