The Road to Morocco, Northampton

A 60s-build estate pub with the only Moorish theme being the elaborately-decorated doors to the Ladies and Gents. It's kept its original sub-division of bar and lounge, with separate bar counters serving each - the bar area is a long, rectangular room with a bar counter to the right. A dartboard, pool table and jukebox were spotted along with a large TV screen, tuned into Sky Sports News on mute. Here I ordered a pint of Theakston's Old Peculiar for £3.50 (St Austell Tribute, Adnam's Broadside and Wadworth 6X were also available). Once served (by a friendly barlady) I walked around an opening at the bottom right of the room into the quieter lounge area. This is carpeted, with several small tables and chairs dotted around and some wooden sub-dividers. A TV screen was also tuned into SSN over a brick fireplace and the brick-fronted bar is also homely. This was busy in the public bar on a weekday lunchtime visit, and not for the first time I was the youngest in by far. I was surprised by the number of ales on offer, although none of them set the world in fire (the Old Peculiar was OK). I was expecting an ale-free oasis, so nice to be surprised.