The White Hart, Warrington

Official site of The White Hart - www.prioryinns.com

Official site of The White Hart - www.prioryinns.com

More of a restaurant with beer rather than a pub with food these days, the result of a typical unsympathetic Heineken refurb a few years ago. Waiter pestering you as you enter the pub asking your reason for entering, perhaps this is just for busy Saturday afternoons though. Food did look good and ale is alright if unexciting Wainwrights. Tables outside if you want to escape the smell of fried food.

Visited about a month ago for lunch with my wife. At the bar were three hand pulls, all offering Caledonian ales - Edinburgh Castle, Autumn Red and Deuchars IPA. Table service is offered when dining rather than having to trek to the bar, which is a nice touch especially if you are ordering multiple courses. The pub has been nicely refurbed and feels cosy but smart. There are several sections to the pub and the bar is pretty much central. It was busy on our Friday lunch time visit but we managed to get a table and we had no issue with the service. Gents are upstairs, for the benefit of those who crave that Wetherspoons-esque trek. Not somewhere to go for exciting beer but as a food pub it was pretty reasonable.

Commanding a corner plot on the cusp of Warrington's pedestrianised town centre a snorkel-shaped bar faces you on entry, which elongates to the right. A small sitting-room type, erm, room, is located to the left, with the bar area wooden floorboarded and tartan-carpeted seating areas as mentioned below are raised up three of four steps. Internally it's bright with dark wood and a drab olive paint scheme. Overloud Radio 1-style muzak played in the background, and the three-ale line-up consisted of Deuchars IPA, Golden XPA and Autumn Red, so you can guess who they're in cahoots with.

Refurbished pub with a gastro-pub style paintwork and some attractive hanging baskets. Split-level interior featuring several seating areas around an island bar. Semi-modern modern furniture and semi-traditional decor. Food offers. Three real ales on handpump: Theakston Best Bitter and XB (£2.65) and Caledonian Flying Scotsman.