Old White Hart

This place is like Cheers, Vale-​style.
I guess you can attribute the convivial atmosphere to its location in the centre of such a small village — I certainly felt it while sipping a few Stellas, and it was enough to cement its place in my cold Yank heart as a pleasant pub with a personality.
The clientele here encompass a range of ages, from jitterbugs to one lady who I overheard saying that she and her husband have been together 63 years (!!). I can’t imagine living that long, much less upholding marriage vows to one person.
The building that boasts The Old White Hart was built around 1440 (according to the website) and embodies the quintessential British pub persona with its low wood beam ceiling, traditional décor and expansive beer garden.
With a range of beers, ales and ciders, The Old White Hart is a haven for imbibing locals, but its warm and familiar spirit is extended to everyone who passes through its doors.

I lived in Llantwit Major for a number of years and never visited The Old White Hart, mainly because during one election, I think it was 2005, they put up a massive UKIP banner. Now there’s one way to deter the punters.
But on returning to Llantwit, I understand that there are new owners in charge now. Apparently they’ve turned the place around. Once grotty, it’s now a magnificent traditional country pub.
In the public bar, you’ll find three guest cask ales (Spitfire, Old Specked Hen and the sublime Timothy Taylor’s Landlord were available on my visit) at £2.90 a pint or £4.60 for a pie and a pint. Such an old-​style approach to bar snacks is further cemented with the large jars of pickled eggs, pickled onions and cockles behind the bar. I can’t stand them, but it was heartening to see them in a pub. The low wood beam ceiling, the slate floor, the beery smell and the yellowing Bass clock, completed the scene of country pub precision. Only the sporadic jukebox bungled the show. One concession to modernity I was pleased to see was an It-​Box with Monopoly on it. There’s also a dart board for use here.
On the other side of the bar you’ll find a large lounge set up for diners that looked clean and well presented. There’s a large and quite pretty beer garden to the rear as well as some tables out front, which overlook the historic square.
With poker on Monday nights, a quiz on Thursdays, a disco on Saturday nights and live music on Sunday afternoons, there’s always something going on in The Old White Hart.
A cracking pub.