Cuttle Inn, Rugby

As described below, the main feature is the huge canalside garden. The ale selection was disappointing, Pride and GK IPA, neither in great condition. The alternatives were Ashill Cider, which was good, plus Atlantic IPA. The food was bizarre – an ordinary, boring curry garnished with stale crisps, and a fish pie which may or may not have originated in Tesco. The staff appeared uncomfortable in their roles, and the whole affair was rather stilted. I wouldn’t scuttle back given the proximity of other pubs.

On the opposite bank of the Grand Unuion from the Two Boats but set up on higher ground with a substantial beer garden running down to moorings for boating customers and a day boat for hire.The building is rectangular and imposing but on closer inspection the upvc windows lack class and a large smoking shack on the roadside of the pub doesnt give a good impression.Internally it's open plan and quite stylish with wood panelling on two walls,a wooden floor close to the bar where ,opposite,there is a good looking banquette with three round tables.To the side is a dining section,although even here there are chesterfields to relax on.The bar has a modern bar back but the makeover has left the pub feeling more gastro than boozer.However on my Friday evening trip a Pink Floyd tribute band was setting up,so the pub was lively with drinkers and not dominated by diners. At the bar the real ale choice was GK IPA and TT Landlord (decent shape,£3.65).I preferred the earthy charm of the Two Boats but if you want a smarter venue then this pub ticks a few boxes.

Very pleasant pub set high up back from the canal in large grounds. The building itself is at a guess Victorian with now a terrace outside and steps down to large gardens on down to the canalside. There's also an unfortunate concrete accommodation block with rather distracts from things. The large bar is a pleasant, old fashioned wood panelled affair which strikes me more as thirties roadhouse than watermans' lodgings. Just GKIPA and an example form the local Purity brewery when we called in, the later in perfect condition. Very friendly service and well worth a visit. Long Itchington has a fair selection of pubs -surprisngly many for this day and age - and is an area worthy of investigation.

The Cuttle Inn This is sat nicely on the Grand union Canal just by bridge 25. On first impressions from the outside it looks like a very modern roadside chain pub. So we were very surprised to find a decent Hook Norton and a great reasonable menu, nothing chain about it, including braised lamb shanks and duck! The bar staff were very helpful and informative, and had given an approximation on the time, which they were very apologetic for being late by 2 minutes! The interiors is that of big modern open plan wood walls and local photos. I can see in the height of summer this being a very popular pub, with huge decking, garden and play area. Definitely family friendly. For those on the canal it is better to moor up after / before bridge 26, nicer countryside and better towpath. Mooring between bridge 24-25 is more difficult due to private mooring rules and narrow towpath. 18th September 2010