The Lamb, Wantage

Doesn't look much from the outside despite its venerable age and indeed you can't even get in through the door at the town side of the pub, you’ve got to go to a side door by the car park. Not what you would expect inside, this has had a few quid thrown at it in the last few years. Enter to a conservatory that has flagstone flooring, modern brick walls and pillars and black varnish wood. To the left are some darker more discrete cubby holes in the original part of the building, mainly set up for dining. A downside are the awful phrases and mis-spelt slogans on the beams. Three ales, all from Fuller's; Seafarers (good nick), Pride and Front Row. A point of difference was the belting out of Jasper Carrot’s “Funky Moped” over the speakers. It's fair enough in terms of Wantage.

A very promising ancient and venerable looking exterior, the sign says 17th Century, however it has been extended at the back and subjected to the worst in low rent gastrofication. There are new stone slabs, candle powered tables with their own little bit of carpet and much fake ye oldeness. The fake beams are painted with a mix of profound or trashy slogans. There is a raised area at the back with games machines, a barrel table and stools but the majority of the place is for dining at tables and chairs. The long herringbone brick bar counter is well laden with keg taps and two handpumps offered a choice between London Pride and Morland Original . My Morlands was actually quite good considering it's provenance, and the service was very slick. The entrance is off the rear car park which probably says it all.