After all that sightseeing you might just be in need of some liquid refreshment and luckily in Bath there is no shortage of pubs.

The Boater, Argyle Street, Bath (01225) 464211 Situated right next to the river, with a gorgeous beer garden, this pub is a favourite with rugby fans and gets pretty packed on match days. Inside there is a pool table, cosy cellar bar and TV with Sky Sports. The pub also serves food.

The Bell, Walcot Street, Bath (01225) 460426 Populated by liberal locals and a sprinkling of students, this pub offers an array of good ales. It also has a spacious beer garden at the back. It serves vegan rolls, has a bar billards table and a table football room out the back. There is live blues, jazz and folk music at the pub on Monday and Wednesday nights and Sunday lunchtimes. With with eight real ales, as well as guest ales, and a friendly atmosphere it is easy to see why this pub is always pretty full.

The Saracen's Head, Broad Street, Bath (01225) 426518 Bath's oldest pub opened in 1713. This is where Charles Dickens wrote the Pickwick Papers. Today it serves a wide range of food and has a large screen and various TVs around the pub showing all the main sports matches.

Salamander, John Street, Bath (01225) 42888 If you are after a quick pint in the centre of Bath this is the place to go. It serves great beers from Bath Ales, as well as local guest beers and good bar food. There is also a separate restaurant upstairs. There is a friendly atmosphere and it's a good place to come for a chat as you can actually hear yourself speak!

Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen, The Tramshed, Walcot Street, Bath (01225) 421200 Housed in an original tramshed building in the Bohemian quarter of Bath, the building's character has been brought up to date with quirky design features set off by chocolate brown leather sofas. There is an extensive outside area with heaters for cooler nights. Food is served throughout the day and evening.

The Crystal Palace, Abbey Green, Bath 0870 3305191 Just a stone's throw from the abbey the Crystal Palace opened in 1851, taking its name from an exhibition held in London that year.

Previously the building had been a lodging house for an old inn called the Three Tuns in Stall Street. There are two bars and a conservatory and patio area out the back. Renowned for its beer battered cod and chips the pub serves a full menu until 8 or 9pm most days and also does Sunday lunches.

Bath Ales Bath Ales launched a brand new organic ale called Wild Hare last summer.

Since its launch in 1996 Bath Ales has been building up a well-deserved reputation for its products, and as word spreads, and the number of pubs it owns increases, the brewery has to up production.

Wild Hare will join Bath Ales' well-established favourites like Gem, Spa and Barnstormer is proof of the brewery's ongoing success.

A trip to the Bath Ales brewery in Warmley, Bristol, can be arranged. Call 0117 947 4797 or vist www.bathales.co.uk If you would like to sample Wild Hare then it is served at the Bath Ales pubs in Bath which include The Salamander (see previous page) and The Hop Pole, on the Upper Bristol Road.