THE Golden Fleece in Nelson Street is a Stroud pub that has delightful surprises to discover.

Not many people know, for example, that it has a garden at the back. A lovely secluded spot it is, too, with its own grapevine and a fine place to find yourself on a summer's day with a glass of something in your hand to tickle the taste buds.

If your tipple is real ale, then you'll not be disappointed, as Graham Stephens – known to all as Beaver – explained.

He should know, as he's the guy who manages the bar and devotes a great deal of loving care to the contents of the pub's cellar.

"I like to have local cask ales on tap and they're always popular with the customers. We're a big fan of Greg Pilley's beers from the Stroud Brewery, so you'll always find Budding here. At the moment, we have the Stroud Life beer from Greg as well and that's going down well.

"There's generally up to four real ales here. At present, we have beers from the Bath Brewery and from the Box Steam Brewery, which is a family run microbrewery in Wiltshire."

Graham's been back at the Golden Fleece for 18 months. He was the licensee 16 years ago. Then he was licensee of the Prince Albert. Then the Pelican. And now he's come full circle and finds himself in charge of the pumps at the Golden Fleece where Ann Thomas has her name over the door as licensee.

A third member of the team is Peta McNamara, who is responsible for the Golden Fleece's renowned Sunday lunches, traditional roasts, all the trimmings, sumptuous gravy, the works.

Her culinary prowess also packs in the punters on Thursday evenings when home cooked pleasures such as shepherd's pie, spag bol, curried chicken and the like, all made from local ingredients wherever possible, are on the menu, with a pint, for an all inclusive price of £7, available from 6pm. Snacks are available every lunchtime.

Thursday nights at the Golden Fleece are also famous for live music in the bar. Usually it's acoustic, but it can be anything from traditional folk to contemporary blues.

The pub recently hosted a poetry and Pimm's evening, and regulars will recall the Golden Fleece dog show that took place in the garden a little while ago and is still talked about.

Opening hours are noon to 11pm, Sunday to Thursday, and noon to midnight, Friday and Saturday.

"It's mostly a locals' pub," said Graham. "But when people call in who haven't been in the Golden Fleece before, they're always pleasantly surprised."