The Charles Bradlaugh, Northampton

Official site of The Charles Bradlaugh - www.thecharlesbradlaugh.com

Official site of The Charles Bradlaugh - www.thecharlesbradlaugh.com

Large pub / restaurant occupying the ground floor of a former shoe factory, although you would never know once inside the faux-traditional U-shaped layout of various seating / dining areas of different sizes on slightly different levels. Disappointingly, just Purity's Mad Goose (£3.70) available from the three handpumps, together with some mainstream keg offerings.

This is a split level pub with lots of small stairwells to get up and down the levels. There's an upstairs bar with lots of leather sofas etc. Lots of nooks and crannies, even though it's just one room really. Dark wood throughout gives it a smart if rather gloomy interior. There are lots of big screens and a table football for the sports minded. At the rear there's a beer garden complete with a "beer garage" for when it's raining. 2 handpumps on the bar serving Robinsons Trooper & Purity Gold. The Purity was a pretty decent beer, but a bit steep at £1.75 for a half. This pub is "designed" to within an inch of its life, but overall I thought it was OK.