You know a pub's doing something right when it's packed to the gills in the middle of the afternoon. CAMRA's National Pub of the Year 2001, the Blisland Inn, is just such a pub. Regualrs trek in from a 30 mile radius, while the locals think they have died and gone to heaven

Landlord Gary Marshall is nicknamed King Buddha thanks to a large tattoo on his expansive belly and his jovial unruffable nature. He's an ex-navy man who wears loud shirts and shorts even in the bleakest Cornish winters. He's also a man who is passionate about good beer

Walk inside and the welcome is instant. The lounge bar has the feel of the old-fashioned parlour you might remember from childhood. Toby jugs hang from the wooden beams while the walls are festooned with local photographs

Food specials are homecooked by Margaret, including chicken and ham pie and a hearty and delicous vegatable soup. But what makes the Blisland Inn really stand out is that Gary manages to keep at least six real ales on in perfect nick. Walk into the public bar and you're greeted by that most heart-warming sight: a row of handpumps dispensing ales both local and from further afield

"I've got my own wooden barrels " says Gary, "One for cider and one for beer. I'll send them to the local brewery and they fill them. They were built by a retired cooper in Nottingham and give me more choice for serving from the wood."

So far Gary has served over 1,370 real ales and shows no sign of letting up. "What makes a successful pub is a hands-on attitude with good personal service," say's Gary "People want traditional beer and food plus a good atmoshpere." - Cheers!!