Very traditional locals’ pub and, although I’m not a regular, I always love the welcome here from the regulars and lovely landlady. The garden out back is lovely in warmer weather but both of the rooms have open fires in the winter, so something all year round. I love the brass-inlaid cross keys in the wooden floor as you enter. Also the pewter top in the main bar, hanging tankards, and the second room that looks like your Grandma’s best front parlour! I would have taken more pictures but didn’t want to compromise the regulars’ privacy. Lovely pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord and, on the occasion of my late Sunday afternoon visit, free cheese & bread on offer. Great pub!

Having been in the cross keys a few times over the festive period it has been a really enjoyable time with the friendly staff and fellow drinkers who enjoy a great pint the best by far for a Guinness and ale that my father in law and father both love in harpenden The Christmas decorations were absolutely lovely with clearly a lot of care taken making the pub very festive however having returned yesterday and the decorations were taken down leaving all the faults of lack of maintenance clear to be seen … damp walls with large cracks and only one stool apart from uncomfortable benches to sit on, we asked to use a chair from the other bar but they were all worn and wobbled.. a real shame a real pub is being left to deteriorate in this way but no doubt it will be lost to a big chain who will save it.

My husband visits this lovely pub for the good beer and friendly atmosphere but always moans about the flooded loos. Now he’s getting on he will have to be more careful, but great pub!