Monday 14th November 2016
Bob Thompson
When I visited this micropub around five months after it had opened, I soon realised that it had achieved some sort of a record as it had changed its name already. It was the Bimble Inn (the significance of the title is not known) but has now changed to being the Bumble Inn, which only makes slightly more sense. Apparently the original name was legally challenged, amazing!
This is a very welcome addition to the Peterborough drinking scene, being very close to the railway station and almost opposite the bus station. It is one of the new wave micropubs inasmuch that it also sells “craft” keg, bottled and canned beers. I realise that the self-appointed micropub police force will have something to say about that, but the only criterion that should be acknowledged is that this excellent little pub sells no less than five cask beers. Why they worry about drinks they will never consume is beyond me!
Opening day was Monday 13th June 2016. It is the brainchild of Tom Beran along with his wife Michelle.
They already operate the well-respected Coalheavers Arms in the Woodston district of Peterborough. It is certainly noticeable from the street with its sky-blue frontage; it certainly caught my eye long before I arrived outside.
It has a very plain and simple internal layout that seats around thirty-five drinkers. The entrance door is in the middle of what was formally the premises of a pharmacy. Once inside I could see that the bar counter was on the left of the room. In front of it on the left were two tables for four. On the right, where I settled, there are three tall tables, each with six high seats.
There are also two shelves at the back of the room with two chairs in front of them and other loose seats around the room to augment the existing arrangement. The left side wall is covered with a woodland scene.
The predominant colour of the pub’s walls are sage green and the right side wall has the pub’s logo along with the motto: “you bimble in & bumble out”.
Tom was the barman that day and I looked at the selection of cask beers. From the five hand pumps I had a choice of: Windsor & Eton (Windsor, Berkshire) Guardsman (4.2%); Alchemy (Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland) Up and Atom (4.8%); Severn Vale (Tortworth, Gloucestershire) Nibley Ale (3.8%); Lacon’s (Great Yarmouth, Norfolk) Oatmeal Stout (4.0%) and Bullard’s no 5 Best Red Bitter (4.0%).
Two ciders were on offer: Cornish Orchards (Duloe, Cornwall) Farmhouse (4.8%) and Kentish Pip (Bekesbourne, Kent) Firespice Ginger Cider (4.0%). Tom said that he liked to plan his beer and cider order a month in advance. This is very useful as he posts this list on to the pub’s website. He also offers “craft” keg beers, wines, tea and coffee. Food is limited to Pork Pies and Scotch Eggs along with home-made snacks.
Important Information:
The Bumble Inn, 46 Westgate, Peterborough PE1 1RE. Tel: 07801 569192
Monday: 12.00-20.00; Tuesday-Thursday: 12.00-22.00; Friday-Saturday: 12.00-23.00; Sunday: 12.00-18.00
Peterborough is a very accessible city with trains of many companies calling there.
It is easily reached from London and all towns and cities along the East Coast Main Line.
It is also served by cross country services from Birmingham and Leicester on to Cambridge and Norwich. There is also a regular service to Lincoln.
From the railway station turn left in front of the Great Northern Hotel.
Follow the approach road as it veers to the right. You will see a Waitrose supermarket on your left.
Turn left into the main road and you will see a crossing that has been built to access the supermarket.
Use this and continue ahead with the Brewery Tap on the left and the Bus Station access road on the right.
You will find the Bumble Inn on the left.