Castle & Ball, Marlborough

Fairly sterile GK outlet with corporate décor, retaining some semblance of the original layout at least. Four ales usually available, three GK (IPA turned out to be off) and Wadworth 6X on my visit. My Abbot was fairly average. Selection of papers available. Most interesting thing about the place was the large gold 3D pub sign outside.

This pub is in the middle of Marlboroughs main shopping street there are tables at the front of the pub but these are under cover so if it rains you can still sit outside. Once inside it has one large room and seems to do a lot of food,the pub is run by Greene King and as the usuall IPA,Abbot ect i had a drink of IPA and this did'nt taste of much and was more like a coloured liquid. Not my type of pub.

Official site of the Castle & Ball, contains menus, wine list and event details - www.castleandball.com

A terraced building, mainly of brick, with three front facing gables and a large golden ball as a sign. The lower third is in white, with a portico entrance covering a patio area and there is a beer garden at the back. The place is run by Greene King and is a restaurant and hotel. The interior is open plan and on a couple of levels, with a bar area and dining area. The décor is mainly white and white painted wood panel, with some red and partial wood floor. There is a stone fire place. Decoration consisted of a mirror or two, with general prints and some arty pictures and although the pub was mostly set up for food, there were a few comfy chairs. The service was fine, with a mixed clientele. There was also Sky TV. The food itself was a 2 for £10 deal and perfectly fine. Beer; tap stuff with GK IPA, Abbot Ale and Westbury’s Hare Raiser on handpull. The Hare Raiser well kept it seemed, but wasn’t to my taste, then a lot of GK beer isn’t. I wouldn’t have gone in this place just for a drink, we went to eat. Whilst it was fine for what we required at the time, I found the place a little soulless and not being a GK fan (I didn’t know until I got to the bar), I wouldn’t bother again – if you like GK and the more modern touch, you should find it OK.

Official site of the Castle & Ball, contains menus, wine list and event details - www.castleandball.com