Butchers Arms, Chester Le Street

Two entrances to a smallish room with the bar in the middle. Directors went off when I asked for it, so had to settle for Thatchers cider. Probably the best pub in the town.

From the street, this certainly looks the pick of the town-centre pubs, and appearances thankfully don't deceive. The staple-shaped bar is thoroughly traditional throughout in a very pleasing way, although there is also a slightly more modern area up a few steps in the left-hand corner. Plenty of real ales on offer too, although from the Marston's and Charles Wells lists, but my pint of Banks's Sunbeam (£3.50) was in tip-top form so you can see why this is a Good Beer Guide stalwart.