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The Buck & Bell, Rugby

The Green
Long Itchington
Postal town: Rugby
CV47 9PH
Phone: 01926811177

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


E TA left this review about The Buck & Bell

Nicely described by others below, this village pub has left its gastro pretentions well behind it. There was a friendly group of locals sitting outside overlooking the village green, while the staff inside were welcoming, primarily to the dogs admittedly, then to us. Once the dog biscuits and bowls of water were served we got to the bar and found Pedigree, Broadside and Proper Job on offer, all in good condition. I really enjoyed our all-too-brief visit and will happily repeat it as it’s worth the walk from the canal.

On 9th September 2022 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3272 recommendations about 3237 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Bucking Fastard left this review about The Buck & Bell

ORIGINAL REVIEW March 2014
This gastro pub is a steady 10 minutes walk from the moorings at Bridge 25 on the Grand Union Canal along the busy A423,but well worth it for a decent meal.The building itself is clearly old,originally a house but converted more recently with clever interior design.The front door opens into the bar area ,where many locals gather to drink around a modest sized counter.The furniture is a mix of rustic ,traditional,bar stools with some high tables and stools. The flooring was quarry tiles.The area around the bar with it's small fireplace is dog friendly .To the left is an area described as the snug with a real fire,and large wooden tables designed for diners but with a flat screen (off during our Wednesday evening trip ).The rest of the interior winds around in different sections,some with a high ceiling before the restaurant area is reached to the rear of the building.There is further bar access in the part of the pub.The design has created a cosy atmosphere to what is quite a large premises and the wall prints and pictures capture local country scenes.
At the bar there were four handpumps serving Doom Bar,Marstons EPA,Banks's Bitter and a decent Clarks Classic Blonde.A dull selection of ales for a pub that prides itself on quality ingedients in it's food dishes,a better thoughout selection of real ale would have resulted in a higher rating.
The food itself was well cooked and presented,with pricing reflecting the gastro vibe.Normally I like a quality ale with my food,so on this occasion the meal was washed down by a few glasses of wine.

UPDATE

All change here,the gastro operation has gone and this is now a village boozer with a simple pub grub offering.The interior is much less plush and the large vaulted ceiling area at one end now has a pool table,flatscreen and fruit machines.The wood burner by the longer bar section was most welcome ,yet the ale selection was national brands such as Marstons Pedigree,Banks's Amber Ale and Bass which were acceptable but not enough to persuade a longer stay.The Marston's tie seems strong,so a point off from my last score.

On 27th November 2018 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Nick Davies left this review about The Buck & Bell

Under new management since the previous reviews and the gastro pretensions have thankfully been expunged. We've now got a very pleasant multi-roomed village local with some fascinating features, including a gallery above the right hand room. The seating out the front overlooking the village green makes a pleasant spot to relax on a sunny afternoon. Disappointing Marston's beer selection when we called, but maybe we were unfortunate as clips from various local brews were displayed.

Worth a visit.

On 29th May 2017 - rating: 7
[User has posted 567 recommendations about 559 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Thuck Phat left this review about The Buck & Bell

The Buck & Bell was converted from house to pub within memory - in as much as I can remember it being done but not exactly when.
It's a large and traditional brick building which has been given the gastro treatment: achingly tasteful gentle sage green paintwork - yes, neatly trimmed yew hedge - yes, clipped bay trees - obviously.
The interior has been converted well leaving in original features such as fireplaces and tiled floors and adding wood panelled walls and rustic furniture. The bar that you walk into is just that and there's a fair bit of banter going on in there with locals on bar stools and standing. Don't be fooled though as one of the first things that the friendly and helpful staff will ask is whether or not you're eating.
In addition to the bar, there are a number of other spots just for drinking and behind the bar at the entrance is a large, l-shaped and relatively open plan dining room with another long bar.
This is the secret to this pub's successfully combining gastro with village pub. The locals need never venture to the dining room at the back and can stay to the front of the building which feels like boozer whilst the diners can head to the back and avoid all that.
The menu is interesting and definitely in the gastropub bracket with a small number of specials on blackboards in addition to the varied standard menu. Prices are around £12 to £17 for mains and our food was good although not so good that I'd make a special trip here.
Beer: Doom Bar, Marstons EPA, Banks Bitter and a decent Clarke's Classic Blonde. Not an interesting enough selection to head back just for the beer either.
It's an impressive and comfortable pub and I'd happily drop in for something to eat or a pint if passing.

On 25th March 2014 - rating: 6
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Ga Andrews left this review about The Buck & Bell

Buck & Bell
Visited Saturday 18th September 2010, an old building, modern rustically converted. On entering you meet a very small bar and then follow a warren of small and big rooms, to a larger bar and restaurant area. The small bar and entrance seems to be the area that the locals sit. On entering we were disappointed to see only 2 of the 5 hand pumps, but needn’t have worried as the jolly landlord was just putting on two more ales, so in the end we had a choice of Hook Norton’s Old Hooky, Warks Darling Buds, Banks and a local EPA which was a lovely pint.
The restaurant was fully booked, but having looked at the menu it all sounded very nice but pricing seemed to be over the top for the typical pub grub. But judging by how busy it was its obviously well known for good food.
The chunky furniture was ok to sit on, but heavy and awkward. Interior decoration kept simple and clean, just some annoying music being played which was unnecessary for time of evening. There is a small courtyard for the smokers.
It is some where I’d go back to try more beer but also because landlord and staff were very welcoming and it seemed a comfortable place.
For canal users on the Grand Union this is a good 25 minute walk from bridge 25, well worth it to enjoy all the pubs and village.

On 27th September 2010 - rating: 6
[User has posted 64 recommendations about 58 pubs]