The Virgins & Castle, Kenilworth

Excellent Everard's pub in 15th Century building well described below, though not in the current (2013) GBG as the Old Bakery across the road gets a turn. In the most attractive part of town and well worth seeking out.

Excellent. characterful old rambling pub, or allegedly two pubs joined together many years ago. Lots of small areas and considerable wood panelling. Large range of Everards beers, with a frequently-changing guest ale, and those sampled in fine order. Menu has heavy Filipino content, with a few staples for the less adventurous. Small walled garden at rear. Recommended.

This is a large terraced Georgian styled Everard's pub and eatery in white render and black paintwork, with a projecting front gable at one end. The old coach entrance has been converted into an antrance way to the one end of the pub. There is a rear patio area. In the GBG 2011. The interior is a nesting of rooms. The plan of the pub is a U-shape and comprises of at least 5 rooms. The main bar area (accessed by the coaching door) has a high roof and a stone and carpet floor. The walls are a mix of cream, lots of wood panel and undressed brick and there is a gallery level, which has a large brick fireplace. The main bar is connected to the lounge by a corridor with a serving bar and three snugs with views out to the road. The first small square snug room has a brick and stone floor, a white and beam ceiling, cream walls with red tile and has a settee. The second (middle snug) is similar with bench seating and a brick fireplace. The third has green carpet, cream walls, grey ceiling and a brick fire - they are all nicely done. The lounge, like the bar, forms a wing of the pub. It too is in cream and has a TV, which wasn't on at my visit. There was no music. They do food here, but i didn't eat so can't comment on that. The service was very good and the clientele leaning more to the maturer side, and it was quite busy. Beer; usual tap stuff with Everard's Tiger, Sunchaser, Beacon and Original, with Young's Bitter as a guest. The Beacon and Original were decent. A quality pub, both for beer and ambience. A must if in Kenilworth. I visited a few months back and misplced the notes, so i hope i have read them right!