The Punch Bowl, Warwick

This pub was the most deserted pub during our Saturday afternoon crawl. Its not bad but is fairly mundane inside. The pool table is still here and so is the average beer selection. Still, the beer was nice enough and I see no reason to dissuade anyone from visiting.

Large and impossible to miss if you've ever driven through Warwick, the Punch Bowl is a traditional and imposing boozer with a very dull, older refurbished interior. The welcome was friendly enough and there was plenty of banter with the pool players heading to the table for a competition. Beers on: North Yorkshire Pale Ale, Shardlow Cavendish Dark, Abbeydale Daily Bread, Oakham Dragon in Bavaria and Pheonix Spotland Gold. An uninspiring collection of lower strength beers. Perhaps worth a look in to see what's on but Warwick has better beer.

Thoroughly refurbished inn on the edge of the historic town centre; much opened-out and modernised inside (but still retaining a welcome real wood fire on a cold afternoon). Generally light decor and semi-traditional furniture. Five real ales available - Same Again (£3.20) and Grand Slam from Ramsbury, Abbeydale Daily Bread, Amber Ales Chocolate Orange Stout and Church Farm IPA - plus Rosie's Pig cider from the six handpumps.

Quite dim and perhaps gloomy inside (not helped by the choice of music). Bar opens out to areas either side, a massive long tartan fabric banquette to left with windows looking out to the greenery. To right are two areas, the lower tier has what looks like a real fire. Up a step behind is a seating area with another massive banquette. Occasional stained glass to take in, the bear and ragged staff glass door inlays are especially notable. Seemed like a friendly middle class bunch in here. Selection of papers to peruse, dart board available and live music on Thursdays. Six pumps at bar with five ales (Abbeydale Daily Bread, Partners Triple Hop, Vale Brill, Sambrooks Pale and Byatts XK Dark) and Thatchers Cheddar Valley Cider. Freedom lager and Budvar of interest on keg. I tried a half of the mild which was decent but a tadge too warm. Of note are that all ales are £2.50pp on Wednesdays. I’d be happy to pop in again but it didn’t quite have the wow factor I was expecting.