Market Tavern, Atherstone

A terraced pub ran by the Warwickshire Beer Co and formerly known as the Cricketer's Arms. The building to one side is somewhat taller, while the other, seems somewhat grander, but this is a nice Georgian three storey building in white render, with black paintwork. The upper levels have 6 and 12 pane sash windows with rusticated quoin stones. The lower frontage has larger sash windows and a pilastered entrance (as well as a side entrance). There is a small patio at the front and a larger beer garden at the back. Interior has a couple of rooms (although technically open plan) served by a central island bar. The bar is at the front and looks out onto the market place. The decor, having been refurbished, has coffee, brown and wood panel walls, with a white and beam ceiling, supported by a central column, and there is a wood floor. The seats are a mix of perimter and chairs at tables and in stripes and brown. There are pewter tankards, a real mix of pictures on the walls and a street lamp in the corner for interest. There was a TV, which was actually supplying soft background music via Heart FM. The service was friendly and there were a couple of others in as it was early afternoon. The louge, at the back, is in a peach colour (i think) with wood panel and with a wood floor. It too was decorated with mirrors and pictures. Beer; the usual tap stuff with WBC's Kingmaker (decent), St Patrick's MILD (decent), Duck Soup (was off, changed without quibble), along with Hobgoblin and decent Milestone's Crusader as guests. I really enjoyed my stop off here. WBC beers have improved over the years in my opinion and the place does guest beers too. A definite return place and one you could stop in for hours.