The Artichoke, Rickmansworth

I called in here while on a CAMRA coach trip and found only a couple of beers available. It to be a massive foody pub and very busy both inside and out. I chose the Greene King Barmy Army and although the beer was ok, I found £2.10 for a half of a 3.7% beer a bit on the expensive side. Only in briefly as other pubs to visit.

This is a smart gastro pub with a pleasant setting on the fringes of the village green. You enter by passing through a decent front decked garden space, emerging into a bare boarded L-shaped room with the servery running along the rear wall. The bar has a modern panelled counter with an unusual tiled frontage at the left hand end, but with ancient looking beams and posts set into it. Opposite is a large bay window with padded benches set inside serving a couple of small round tables with nice iron bases decorated with depictions of Britannia. Standard tables and chairs plus a few high backed comfy chairs run through the rest of the room including the right hand side with seemed to be set with formal dinner place settings. Some exposed brick walls can be found here and there, but the décor is mostly based around typical gastro pub pastel shades, whether it be wall coverings, upholstery or even the bar counter. A door leads through to a second room to the left in what appears to be an extension to the original building. Pew and standard seating fills most of this space which is bright and airy but also rather bland. Shelving units display soda dispensers, teapots, glassware and similar objects and there are some decent dark wood panels to one side with impressive silver salvers mounted on the wall. Music played at a sensible volume and I spotted a healthy stack of board games in one corner. There were four handpulls on the bar, all unclipped, so I was already contemplating having to order something cold and fizzy when the barmaid helpfully pointed out four heart shaped bits of slate suspended from the bar canopy, which detailed what was on each of the hand pumps. In this instance, there was a house beer - Artichoke Ale - from the Paradigm brewery alongside Paradigm Low Hanging Fruit, Fullers London Pride and Brains Rev James. The Artichoke Ale was £4.10 for a pint, which struck me as pretty pricey for a house beer, but at least it was in good nick. The staff here were all extremely polite and professional, helping customers sort out their complex reservations and generally being a bright, friendly bunch. This place has gone so far down the gastro route, I was glad to have arrived before the lunchtime rush, as I was still able to relax over my pint without feeling like I was in the way. The pub has a few redeeming features, but ultimately will only really be a draw for those wanting something to eat.

Now styled as a Bar & Kitchen and has gone gastro. Nice looking place with lots if exposed wood and brickwork. Friendly service and a small bar to enjoy one of four cask beers. Pleasant place that is probably aimed at the areas affluent. £4 a pint.

Has recently re-opened after what looks like an extensive refurbishment.