Pomfret Arms, Northampton

Crikey! I thought The Lamplighter was dark, and then I walked into The Pomfret, where I had to be talked through the 4 pump clips, such was the all enveloping gloom. There's a beer garden out the back, though that doesn't look a great deal brighter this evening. The ales are all local, my pint was in good nick, though I could barely make it out, and the bar huggers were happy to recommend (they didn't need the meagre light to know what was on). On a return to Northampton, I#'d be more than happy to return to The Pomfret, but I'd be trying to time my visit for daylight hours.

Traditional pub with a plain facade but a more interesting interior, located just over the South Bridge from the town centre, past the Carlsberg Brewery. Partly opened out reversed J-shaped layout, with the counter in the angle, and a patio beer garden at the back. I found six of the eight handpumps badged, offering Roman Way's Paradox, a couple from Great Oakley - Wot's Occurring (£4.40, although not in the best condition so perhaps too many on?) and Tiffield Thunderbolt - and three for Saxby's boxed ciders. NB - Ceased being home to the Cotton End Brewery at some stage since my previous visit in 2016.

This was supposed to be my first pub of the day on my crawl around Northampton, but they were a little late opening up, so I decided to skip it and return later in the day. What a result that turned out to be, as I came back in the early evening to find the place rammed, with a cracking atmosphere thanks to the large and enthusiastic post-work crowd (I wonder how many had decamped here after a day making dismal beer in the neighbouring Carlsberg brewery?). This place has a brewery of its own (Cotton End) based in an outbuilding out the back somewhere, although sadly none of their beer was available on cask on this visit. Instead, the handpulls were dominated by beer from the Great Oakley Brewery, with their Abbey Stout, Tiffield Thunderbolt, Tailshaker and Hot Little Biscuit available alongside Phipps IPA. I took a pint of the Abbey Stout at £4.30, as the stuff was absolutely flying out of the pumps, and thought it was a cracking pint in great shape. The staff were all incredibly nice and dealt with a never ending crush at the bar in a friendly and efficient manner. The pub itself is dominated by the servery, which you encounter directly opposite you upon entering, with the room wrapping around three sides of its smart counter. This leaves limited space for seating, mostly arranged around the perimeter, although there’s a good variety to choose from, assuming it’s not already all accounted for. The place has been decorated in a fairly typical brewpub fashion, with plenty of breweriana on display along with traditional ale house decorations. Music was playing quite loudly, but not so loud as to impede conversation, but for those who preferred a quieter space, a sizable garden can be found to the rear, with seating across two levels, huge gazebos to shelter under, a bike storage unit and a serving hatch dishing out cheap food of the burger van variety. I really liked this place, which is clearly hugely popular with the local community and offers a great selection of well-kept ales, with no fear of low turnover. Visiting on such a busy night meant that I got a bit of a distorted view of the place and had to head outdoors to find a seat, but I imagine this place would be a winner regardless of when you visit and it makes an essential double-headed with the equally excellent Malt Shovel Tavern just a short way up the road.

Nice brew pub with 3 areas on the edge of town. Traditional and with their own beer. Beer quality was a bit warm for my personal taste