Lock Stock & Barrel, Newbury

Substantial river-side Fuller's pub with the canal lock also just across the water. South-facing too, so must get rammed in the better weather (not today). That said, it was still so busy on a January Saturday that I had to sit out under the covered patio seating. The beer offering was just London Pride and ESB (£6.40ish) from the two banks of three handpumps, but no quibbles about the quality. PS - The interior looked as well maintained, upmarket traditional as you would expect.

Official site of Lock Stock & Barrel - www.lockstockandbarrelnewbury.co.uk

Official site of Lock Stock & Barrel - www.lockstockandbarrelnewbury.co.uk

The Lock Stock & Barrel is a canal side Fuller’s pub that overlooks Newbury Lock. The interior is L-shaped with tables along a long windowed wall that looks out onto a terrace and canal beyond. The terrace that runs the length of the pub, plus a bit more, and the roof terrace with bench seating are certainly this pub’s major draw. The L-shaped bar counter supports two banks of three handpumps either side of a pillar that splits the bar in two. Seafarers, Oliver’s Island, London Pride and ESB were all available during a recent Wednesday afternoon visit. A premium and craft keg range was also available. This is a nice pub, especially on a hot summer’s day, but it is frequented by the sort of people that form a single line queue that runs perpendicular to the bar from the till. Worth a look.

A local warned me that this was the most expensive in Newbury. He also said it was the best. Only one way to find out! Enviably positioned, especially if like us, you had just walked from Hungerford on the canal. A stringent adherence to covid rules that both included a velvet rope and table defunigation from the previous occupants. A nice beer garden, app ordering and a pint of (very good) ESB and Stowford Press £11.50.