The Witch & Wardrobe, Lincoln

Water-side Marston's pub, but not really sure how old it is, but it's certainly been modernised inside. Anyway, on a Friday evening, it was full and loud with a generally younger crowd in. Cask Ale is thankfully available too, in the form of Pedigree, Wainwright (Gold) and Hobgoblin Ruby (£4.75).

Official site of The Witch & Wardrobe - www.witchwardrobelincoln.co.uk

Official site of The Witch & Wardrobe - www.witchwardrobelincoln.co.uk

Lovely waterside setting for this Marstons pub, a mix of decor styles but generally older in feel. The beers are Carlsberg’s cask from the former Marstons stable, all very average possibly brewery conditioned and reseeded or “fresh ale” either way not brilliant. Nice enough place with friendly staff. A bit of the old multiple room layout is evident but it’s a wee bit too modernised to have much charm. Can’t fault the staff though.

Located on the north bank of the River Witham, the Witch & The Wardrobe was busy with a local crowd during a recent late Thursday afternoon visit. There is seating to the left and right of the entrance and the televisions throughout were supplying some quite loud background music. The bar counter is split down the middle by a supporting column and is centrally located on the rear wall opposite the entrance. There is also a back bar that was packed, and a raised seating area to the left rear. Standard keg was available alongside Birra Moretti and two of the five hand pumps were in operation drawing Pedigree and Jennings Brewery’s Cumberland. The service was polite, but I didn’t find the locals to be overly welcoming. In fact I ended up in a stare off with one of them, which ended when I crossed my legs and my jeans split across my fat arse. Thankfully M&S was still open. Ashamedly, this isn’t the first time my trousers have ended up in a high street bin.

Sadly all the previous reviews are now well out of date. It's now a bit of a dump. In a great position on the River Witham, but the inside is now very shabby and unloved. Two sides to the pub served by a central bar. Tatty carpet and wires sticking out all over the place. Ladies toilets not fit to be used according to Ms CAMRA. There's a beer yard at the back, but this is also unkempt. Only two beers available and these were both from "Mansfield" brewery which no longer exists, so brewed in a Marston's beer factory. My pint was just about OK. Won't be coming here again, it's a mess.