The Saxon Crown (JD Wetherspoon), Corby

This branch of Wetherspoon's is probably the only place worth drinking in when in Corby. From the outside, it doesn't look too promising. Situated in a grim looking building, it is actually one of the chain's hotels. Once inside, the pub takes on a completely different complexion. It is quite open-plan, but with a modern and quite light and airy feel. Doors at one end of the pub opened up onto the street, as it was quite a warm day, whilst the rest of the pub had a cosy feel. The usual 'spoon's beers were on - Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best & Sharp's Doom Bar. When I arrived, there were also a couple of guest beers from Oakham - Citra & Hangar 17. By the time I left, Grainstore Zahara was also on. In addition, 3 real ciders were listed on their app - Weston's Old Rosie, Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon & Thatcher's Stan's Big Apple. Having said this, I didn't spot any of these in the fridges. So, they must have been hiding away in a separate room. For a late Friday lunchtime, it was fairly busy and there was a good mix of customers - young and old and male and female. Once beyond the fairly depressing exterior, I found this to be one of the better branches of this chain.

This is a Spoons hotel as well as a pub but why anyone in their right mind would want to stay in a dump like Corby is beyond me. The building is a hideous grey thing from the 1960s which wouldn't have looked out of place somewhere in Eastern Europe prior to the fall of the Soviet Empire. Inside it's actually not too bad with a split level open plan area with the bar in the lower part and the raised area adjacent to the kitchen serving area. Furnishings are plusher than the usual Spoons and there is a patio at the back. The beer choice was disappointing as there were four available soon from the two banks of six hand pumps. With the two GK Beers, two ciders, Doom Bore and Deuchar's IPA this left just Exmoor Gold and Caledonian / Baird Rising Sun Pale Ale. I went for the Rising Sun (£2.39) which was in good condition. This seemed a reasonable Spoons so it's a shame it was let down by the poor beer choice.