The Three Cocks, Kettering

My visit was on a Sunday afternoon and I have to say I was very impressed. On entering there are handpulls aplenty. A bar area in the middle and a long open plan room. Very olde worlde which isn't a bad thing. Decor was simple and pleasant. Service was friendly. Only a few customers in which was a shame. I had a Moongazing (£3.40) and a Stout Coffin (£3.50) both of which were in good form. Definitely one of the better pubs in Kettering town centre.

Called in while on a coach trip round Northamptonshire pubs and enjoyed Phipps Ratcliffe Celebrated Stout and Mighty Oak Silver Smith. There were also 2 beers from Full Mash, and from York and Grainstore breweries. Traditional pub games like skittles, darts, table skittles feature and a shove halfpenny board.

This pub was taken over a few years ago by a couple from a famous Essex pub the Golden Lion in Rochford. It's on the Northern side of the main town centre but not too far out. It consists of a single long room with the bar in the centre. To the right is a "Saloon" area with a carpet and tables and chairs. The left "Public" area has a wooden floor with a raised area at the far end containing a really good darts throw and a Northants Skittles area. I don't know Northants well and this is the first time I've come across this pub game. There is a function room somewhere that is used to host four beer festivals a year. I noticed a TV screen that was turned off and there was an 80s soundtrack playing. The bar has a set of four hand pumps at the front and a further three at the side. One of the front ones was unclipped and the rest had Mighty Oak Maldon Gold & Kings (presumably due to the Essex connection), Oakham Inferno, Grainstore 1050, Full Mash Nevermore Stout and Cottage Duchess. I went for the Nevermore (£3.10) and the 1050 (£3.20) both in excellent condition. I was the only one in at midday on a Friday but the young barmaid was very friendly. I thought this was a top pub and would gladly return.