Hare & Hounds, Corsham

Situated on a busy roundabout on the edge of Corsham. Has been recently done-up and rather nicely too, with three rooms wrapped round the bar. Decor is smart - carpeted, green, grey and brown shades which gives you an idea of the clientele they’re going for. Two cask on over five sticks, both rebadges under the ‘Pub Leisure’ monicker. My Golden Cog from Plain smelt a bit cheesy and didn't clear (NBSS 1.5). A shame as the pub itself is quite nice but it shouldn’t be beyond their wit to keep a decent pint. 5.5

The Hare & Hounds is situated on a busy roundabout on the edge of Corsham. We were happy to find it open on a midweek afternoon, after finding 3 other pubs in the town closed. Whilst the only real ale is Doom Bar, the cider selection was impressive, with many boxes piled on top of one another at one end of the bar. The full range was Lilley's Mango Cider, Apple & Blackberry Cider, Apples & Pears, Elderflower Cider, Rhubarb Cider, Cherries & Berries, Somerset Scrumpy, Rum Cider, Sunset, Bee Sting Perry & Wild Dog, Thatcher's Cheddar Valley & Weston's Rosie's Pig Strawberry & Elderflower Cider and Raspberry & Cucumber Cider. Staff were friendly, but I did find £9.20 for a pint of cider, an apple juice and a packet of crisps a bit extortionate. I was well outside of London and yet paying more than I would for a round in the capital itself. So pluses and minuses for this pub. Full credit for its cider range, but I'm not sure I'd be able to afford to drink here regularly if I was a local.

An award winning roadside inn which claims not to be a gastro but looks like one and sells bistro-style food as well as good quality pub grub. It also has a GBG entry. From the car park, which is adjacent to a large garden, you enter through a small bar which has the air of a funeral parlour, while the larger main bar is cosier and more like a pub/restaurant. There are plenty of timbers and stone features on display, and there are other country pub cliches like over-stated exposed fireplaces and flag flooring dotted around. The staff are very friendly but do look a bit silly in their black uniform of polo shirt and baseball cap. They run regular quiz nights and meal deals, and there is a thriving local cadre. Four ales on, I had Bath Ales's Gem which was pretty good. Very happy to stop here for food and drink when passing and I would definitely include in a crawl.