The Three Swans Hotel, Market Harborough

Old coaching inn. There’s a light and modernised bar (seemingly little changed since the previous review a good few years back) with one overworked and upselling Scottish barmaid. It's not without its charms though - the rear garden was stylish and spacious, so worth a nose on a sunny day. Two cask from Langton, my IPA wasn't shifting but came out just about par (NBSS 3). Market Harborough is hardly overflowing with quality ale outlets so this one is worth a look.

An old coaching inn in the centre of Market Harborough, it has now been considerably extended towards the rear and includes extensive accommodation as well as function rooms and so on. There is also an attractive patio area at the rear with plenty of shade for the sunny weather. Internally it consists of a couple of rooms, with the main bar being at the front. A glass porch was inset in to the front of the bar and this had been etched with a three swans motif. Décor wise it might be described as traditional with a contemporary twist – sanded wooden boards on the floor, some varnished wood panelling on the lower part of the walls and so on, but more modern touches as well such as spotlights on a track and exposed filament bulbs hanging above the bar. Fireplaces were at either side, one with a gilded mirror above and the other a large clock, whilst the rear wall was covered in some unusual purple buttoned velvet padding. The room at the rear was perhaps a little more atmospheric with flagstones on the floor and a beamed ceiling, but this too still managed to be quite contemporary in style. Despite three pumps on the bar, two had their clips reversed leaving Wadworth’s Horizon as the sole offering. The solitary cider meanwhile was Magners. Probably one of the better spots in the centre of Market Harborough, but then that’s not exactly difficult.