I love a good, traditional pub. I grew up just down the road from the Cross Keys at Withington which, having had the same landlords at the helm for more than half a century until their retirement last month, was about as traditional a country pub as you could get.

I have ridiculously fond memories of the Keys, and still love a visit when we go over to see my parents. It has probably been the major influence on one of my house 'must haves', which is a decent pub within walking distance.

Later, my local became the Duke of York at Leysters, again about as traditional a country pub as you can get, although very different to the Keys, and then the Volunteer in Hereford's Harold Street. 

After moving to Bromyard, we suddenly had several pubs to choose from, but when a new pub opened in the town, we had to give it a go.

Charlotte Moreau at the Tipsy Toad in BromyardCharlotte Moreau at the Tipsy Toad in Bromyard (Image: Andy Moreau)

The Tipsy Toad opened earlier this year in the former Flower Power florists shop, next to the long-established Kings Arms pub in Bromyard's High Street.

With so many pubs having closed down in recent years, a new pub is a rare thing. In Herefordshire alone, there are currently a number of pubs with uncertain futures.

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These include the Lamb Inn in Stoke Prior, which is at the centre of a planning battle to convert it into a home after being closed and operated as a holiday rental without planning permission after a previous change of use bid was refused by a planning inspector, and the Newtown Inn on the AA438, which is currently up for auction.

Like the Lamb Inn, the Newtown Inn has been the subject of failed bids for change of use, and has not opened to customers for several years.

With all that in mind, I was very excited to take a trip to a genuinely new pub.

Set in a three-storey, grade II listed building dating from the early 17th century, the new pub was always going to have character, but I was a little apprehensive before visiting that the new pub might come across as a bit of a pastiche.

I paid my first visit to the town's newest pub in October, along with my brother, Dave, and my husband, Andy.

The first impression of the pub was brilliant. It was already crowded at just past 5pm on a Saturday evening, and the atmosphere was friendly and warm. It immediately felt like a proper pub.

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Landlords Alwyn and Jane Weaver have retained the character of the building, which has exposed beams and stone just about everywhere you look. The tiled floors are just right, and a fantastic woodburner sits near the bar.  The pub's furniture feels right too, with characterful and mismatched tables and chairs throughout the downstairs. 

Pints and a packet of crisps at the Tipsy Toad!Pints and a packet of crisps at the Tipsy Toad! (Image: Charlotte Moreau)

Every table has a drinks list on it, but we bypassed these and went straight for the Wye Valley ales on the pumps, along with a pack of Tyrells each.  A pint is reasonably priced, with each drink coming in at under £5, and the beer was well-kept. 

Venturing upstairs, as there were no spare tables downstairs, we found the pub's lounge area, with leather sofas arranged around tables. This area feels a bit more modern than the downstairs bar area, but is still bursting with character and a very pleasant place to be with a pint!

There is also a small outside area at the back of the pub.

We actually enjoyed it so much that we went back the next Saturday, and will definitely be making this one a regular.

It is a real little gem! If you are looking for a friendly, relaxed, but 'pubby' pub, this is certainly one to visit. On all of our visits so far, it has been very busy, with a mixed crowd of varying ages.