Goose & Cuckoo, Upper Llanover

The term 'time warp' can be aptly applied to this 200+ years old pub. Originally a cider house called the New Inn, the 'Goose' and 'Cuckoo' were the nicknames of a couple who ran the pub in the 19th century. The story goes that during an argument, one called the other 'a silly old goose' and the other responded by calling their partner 'a silly old cuckoo'. The names stuck and became the official name of the pub in the 1880s! The pub sits alongside an old track used by workers from Blaenavon and Cwmavon who used to work at nearby lime kilns and charcoal burning sites. It is the only pub in Llanover to survive the Temperance Movement purge of pubs championed by Lady Llanover in the late 19th century. Today you can enjoy a charming, unspoilt country pub with a covered porch with benches to either side and the front window panes covered in Good Beer Guide window stickers and those from other organisations. Note either side of the building the illuminated old Rhymney Brewery Hobby Horse sign and an old Double Diamond lamp above the Gents' toilet block. Inside a real fire adds to the cosiness of a room where time seems to have stood still and which has an old piano in the corner which acts as a repository for tourist information, books and magazines. The visitors' book bears testimony to its great popularity, especially with passing walkers. Featured on TV as one of the 'Great little pubs of Wales'. it has Beer 'n' Music Festivals on Whitsun and August Bank Holidays. Pub does open on Bank Holiday Mondays (12noon-11pm). A trek down the mountain from Blaenavon or the hike up the hilly lane from the main road will bring its reward. Local CAMRA Country Pub of the Year 2018.