The Rose Inn, Nuneaton

A Marstons pub, as loudly proclaimed on the end walls, and I have been in so many ordinary and unexciting pubs of theirs that I didn't expect anything special when I walked into the Rose. Just goes to show how wrong you can be, because if I lived in Nuneaton (which heaven forfend) I would be quite happy to make this my local. The building stands alone on the edge of a modern housing estate. Inside the original multiroomed layout has been maintained, and I passed along a corridor between two closed doors to reach the bar in the room at the rear. There were several locals clustered around the bar, but I eventually got a clear view of the three hand pumps. These were serving Pedigree, Burton Bitter and Hansons Mild. I only had time for one, so I had the mild which was in very good condition. This is a genuine locals pub, with a friendly atmosphere so that I soon felt at home. The back room has been rearranged and enlarged somewhat, and there is an RSJ just above the bar which features a collection of clocks, which apparently started as a sort of joke but has reached the point of being a bit of an obsession. Pride of place goes to a former colliery clock, a giant of about one metre diameter, which is above the mantelpiece. If I find myself in Nuneaton again I will certainly return to the Rose.