The Crown, Devizes

Wadworth pub by the brewery. Modernised but in a less successful manner than some of their others in town; it’s fairly stark and a bit cheap. Quasi Scandi in feel over a knocked-through front-facer with little of note, the white and varnish quarter octagonal bar excepted. A surprisingly large L shaped rear patio was very busy on a summer's day and I suspect that’s the main selling point. Five Waddies cask available so I went for their seasonal interloper, Amarillo Gold, which was in decent nick although tasted as perhaps you'd expect from said brewery (NBSS 3). Not much to really recommend bar the slightly extended Waddies cask range, all rather unremarkable. 5.5

Apparently it’s Wadworth’s flagship pub, but I don’t think it does the Brewery or the brand justice. It’s a fairly ordinary roadside pub which has been partially restored. There is a small sitting room on the left as you go in, with comfy chairs and a couple of tables for diners. The main bar is larger, wooden floored, and has a central servery which makes it a U-shaped drinking area. There are various tables, some of which had packs of cards on them, and a TV screen in the corner, which was switched off. Instead of TV noise, there was irritating, over-loud muzak. There is another sitting area at the rear, near the toilets, which has a stone floor and is on a slightly higher level. Food looked fairly ordinary, though they do offer a Sunday roast which, we’re told, is good value. The barman was a rather unwelcoming, humourless young individual who would be better employed as a pallbearer. Six handpumps but only 4 ales on, odd for a flagship – 6x, Henry’s, Swordfish and Horizon, all in good condition, though not the best I’ve had from that Brewery. No real cider, but there was a bank of keg offerings including Thatcher’s, Guinness, 1664 and 3 premium lagers. It’s unremarkable, and given that it doesn’t have parking, and there are better pubs nearby, I’m not sure I’d make it a priority.

Official site of The Crown - www.crowndevizes.co.uk

Official site of The Crown - www.crowndevizes.co.uk