It dates back to 1811 and was once a hotel
The Nova Scotia pub on Spike Island(Image: Bristol Live)
Pubs don’t get much more ‘proper Bristol boozer’ than the Nova Scotia, the former coaching inn and hotel close to the Cumberland Basin.
Although firmly on the tourist map, the Nova Scotia is also very much a pub for the locals and it’s one of the last harbourside venues where you’re virtually guaranteed to hear a thick Bristolian accent.
This Grade II-listed building dates back to 1811 and was once three houses prior to it forming one large pub.
Located on Spike Island, the pub has a spacious two-room bar, a tiny ‘captain’s cabin’ snug – once known as the ‘private bar’ – and a large dockside drinking area with huge parasols to protect alfresco drinkers from the elements.
The walls are plastered with tobacco-coloured nautical maps and charts detailing coastlines around the world.
Walls are also dotted with fascinating black and white photos of ships and boats in Bristol’s harbour.
The Nova Scotia has a traditional and timeless look(Image: Bristol Live)
Etched glass panels, a splendid mahogany back bar dating from the early 1900s and decades-old bench seating give the pub plenty of original character.
On the midweek lunchtime I visited, the outside area was almost full of locals soaking up the sun with pints of cider.
Although not strictly a cider pub, it does offer four on draught – Cheddar Valley, Thatchers Gold, Haze and Traditional – and there were four real ales on tap.
I went for the Wye Valley Butty Bach, which was in perfect condition, and there was also HPA from the same Herefordshire brewery.
Ale drinkers can also enjoy Butcombe Original and draught Bass – a rare treat in Bristol pubs these days – and also on tap are Guinness, Moretti, Neck Oil, Amstel and Kronenbourg 1664.
Until a few months ago, the pub had gained a strong following for its simple food, especially the doorstep sandwiches and the hearty mixed grill.
The kitchen is currently closed and being refurbished so pork pies and Scotch eggs displayed in a glass cabinet on the bar are the closest thing to sustenance apart from crisps.
Traditional, unpretentious, inexpensive (compared to many harbourside venues at least – my round of three pints was just over £15) and packed with character, The Nova Scotia is a well-supported and much loved Bristol pub and it’s good to see it thriving still. It’s an absolute cracker.
Nova Scotia, 1 Nova Scotia Place, Bristol, BS1 6XJ.