The Black Horse, Milton Keynes

As previously mentioned the Black Horse is a good looking building with a waterside location being an old canal side building now converted into a pub. Internally there is plenty of exposed wooden beams , brickwork and the internal space made up of different areas over multiple levels. And externally there is a lovely decked area overlooking the Grand Union canal. However, this is very much now focussed on food to the extent that it is more restaurant than pub and most of the available ares, including the external decking is laid to tables with waitress service. And unfortunately, it is another one of these gastro food orientated pubs that do not separate the restaurant staff from the wet sales, so consequently if you are just after drinks you have to queue at the bar behind a stream of people ordering or paying for meals whilst the bar staff (usually singular) struggles to work the till. Thus, as it was again this week, it usually takes you over 5 minutes to get a pint. I have only ever eaten a lunchtime sandwich here, but feedback from colleagues that have ventured in for an evening meal have reported that the food is usually good but let down by the service and length of time it takes between courses. What I can comment on is the beer and the bar area has been done over since the previous reviewers and as well as the usual fizz taps the main bar section now supports three handpumps. Unfortunately these have not been anything adventurous on my recent visits and again this week it was the run of the mill OSH, CW Bombadier and Wadsworths 6X, but at least the 6X was a good pint. So this is not really a place I could recommend for just a pint with the exception of perhaps a sunny summers evening when the outside decking by the water is a great place to sit.

Official site of the Black Horse, contains menus - www.theblackhorsegreatlinford.co.uk

Official site of the Black Horse, contains menus - www.theblackhorsegreatlinford.co.uk

This is an old canalside building with low ceilings,exposed beams and the interior is split over multiple levels.On entering, the bar is immediately ahead sporting an array of keg taps but dont despair ,to the left through a doorway is a smaller bar with two handpumps dispensing Adnams Bitter and TT Landlord in the southern style without the tight sparkler but drinkable and reasonable at £2.80.Food dominates here and if dining you will be shown to a table but you can just drink in the two areas by the bars which despite being full of modern furniture does retain a real fire and a convivial atmosphere.From the outside this place looks gastro ,it better once inside and lunchtime bar snacks are reasonably priced.There is an outside decking overlooking the towpath for hot weather dining and drinking.I would return.