The welcoming pub with a toasty real fire and a puzzling name

The Dolphin at Oldland Common is a curiously aquatic name for a roadside pub on the green and landlocked outer fringes of Bristol.

After an almighty deluge just as I arrived, the huge puddles outside the pub were the only signs of standing water but any bottlenose dolphins were conspicuous by their absence.

The Dolphin is one of only two village pubs left in Oldland Common. They are separated by Sir Bernard Lovell School, which is where Keynsham-born England cricketer Marcus Trescothick was educated, as well as former Bristol Rovers player and manager Ian Holloway.

Directly opposite The Dolphin is a smart road called Trescothick Drive in honour of the village’s cricketing hero. I didn’t spot any ‘Ollie’-related streets, however, although one local - a Bristol City fan - told me with a certain amount of pleasure that the popular soccer star did once cut the ribbon at the opening of a hazardous waste plant in nearby Warmley.

With its Sky TV, pool table and dartboard, The Dolphin certainly has a sporting flavour but it’s also well known locally for its music. On Saturday evening, there is usually a live band playing in the pub and there are regular DJ appearances.

On New Year’s Eve, from 8pm until late, it was the brilliantly named DJ Gravy spinning the discs. With a name like that, it will hopefully be a smooth set rather than lumpy. Apparently, DJ Gravy is a former landlord of another local pub and he wanted to keep his eye in with his back-to-back disco classics.

For those looking for a less energetic - and potentially more lucrative - visit to the pub, Sunday afternoons are when the poker sessions take place.

Close to the Avon Valley Railway and Willsbridge Mill nature reserve, the pub is also surrounded by decent trails so muddy-booted walkers often stop off for a drink before their onward journey.

Dogs are welcome, although a sign politely requests any wet pooches refrain from jumping onto the spotlessly clean red upholstered banquettes.

On a mirror behind the bar, a witty, handwritten sign reads ‘let the fun be GIN’ - a reference to the wide range of spirits on offer - but real ale fans may be disappointed to find the beer choice limited to just Doom Bar.

There’s also Guinness, three types of Thatchers cider, Carling, Coors, Stella, Madri and Staropramen on draught. More of a drinking pub than dining, the bar snacks extend to crusty cobs (£2) including ham salad, cheese and onion or ham, cheese and pickle.

As I left, the friendly landlady was throwing another log on the real fire in front of the main bar as a drenched walker warmed up and dried out after being caught in the downpour.

A warm welcome and a toasty real fire - in these cruel winter months, that’s exactly what I hope to find in a village pub such as The Dolphin, even if I’m still scratching my head over its confounding name.

The Dolphin, 141 High Street, Oldland Common, BS30 9TD.