Three times a local CAMRA Pub of the Year award winner, you only have to glance at the impressive range of awards and certificates to see this has been a beacon of excellence when it comes to good pub management. The spacious front patio - note the colourful real ale mural - has furniture to suit both vertical and seated drinking which can be covered by a retractable awning when required. Inside it's comfortably furnished with adjoining lounge and snug cum bar/games areas. Several TVs with sound usually muted are ranged around the pub for viewing entertainment especially for sports and racing fans. The menu offers a wide and varied range of popular main meals plus lighter bites like baguettes and sandwiches; look out for the 'Taste of Asia' on Tuesdays, steak and grill nights 6-9pm on Thursday and the Saturday breakfast club. Ciders and/or perries gain in popularity in summer months. The pub has also raised loads of money for local charities over the years, all listed on a board. Bus stops are a few minutes walk away (in either direction), as is the Risca & Pontymister railway station on the Cardiff/Ebbw Vale line.