Ashes fever is building, with England’s final warm-up match in Australia against New South Wales starting today and the first Test in Brisbane on November 21.

The Old England in Montpelier is more closely associated with cricket than any other pub in the city, probably more than any other pub in the country.

It has two full-size cricket nets in its garden, which once upon a time used to be the practise ground for WG Grace, the Downend doctor who became a giant of the game in its early days.

The early days of the Old England saw it starting life as a country inn, part of a complex that included baths, gardens and a coffee house.

Today, it’s a sister pub of the the Farm in St Werburgh’s and the Cadbury, also in Montpelier.

Among the drinks on tap when I visited last weekend were Bishop’s Tipple, Henry’s and 6X, all from the Wadworth brewery in Devizes, and Aspalls cider from Suffolk.

The Old England, 43 Bath Buildings, Montpelier, Bristol, BS6 5PT. 0117 944 1037.