The Old Bakery, Kenilworth

A rather middle class, two roomed bar, making it feel a little stuffy but its comfortable and has good beer so still worth a visit

Not really got much of an idea what to file this under. It is in the Good Beer Guide 2022. It doesnt do food - although probably looks like it should. It is a larger than you would think hotel. A posh bar area, with wooden beams and some comfortable seating in the Window (overlooking Kenilworths oldest pub). Five cask on - and they were unusual, yet traditional. I went for a Derby Brewing Buckeye Brown Ale - only checked in 6 times on Untappd - the last being in this venue - possibly in the same Wye Valley glass. No other punters until a couple entered after about 10 mins. Slightly odd experience.

This is a small bar that amazingly, considering its size has 14 ensuite rooms somewhere at the rear. The main room is almost square-shaped with the bar at a higher level to the rear. A corridor to the left of the bar leads to the toilets, a courtyard patio and the accommodation, whilst there is a side room also off to the left. Wye Valley HPA is the regular beer. Their Butty Bach was also on, along with Salopian Shropshire Gold & Acorn Malthouse. I chose the latter and enjoyed it. The barman seemed a bit on the snooty side with me, for some reason, whilst he seemed ok with various accommodation guests who were coming and going. The only other drinkers were two old fellows sat in the window discussing the plight of the Tories and the contents of the day's Telegraph.

At first glance, you might have this down as a micro-pub, but - whilst the slightly split-level bar is compact - there is a another seating / dining room off to one side and a total of 14 letting rooms somewhere... Busy early on a Wednesday evening, so I took one of the chairs by the counter and took in the calm atmosphere. Surprisingly varied selection of four real ales on handpump: Wye Valley HPA, Pie in the Sky from Old Pie Factory, Slaughterhouse Brewery's Winter Ale (£3.60) and Winter Solstice from North Cotswold.

Decent pub which is the local Camra branch pub of the year. Opens in the evening only.

Official site of The Old Bakery - theoldbakery.eu

Official site of The Old Bakery - theoldbakery.eu