The Great Western Arms, Moreton-In-Marsh

A two-roomed village pub with an austere feeling: bare boards, bare walls with woodwork and doors painted in modern shades. The bar has been constructed of distressed timber and has three hand pumps with Hook Norton beers on. The previous customer was served a murky Old Hooky, so I tried Off The Hook, but this had clearly turned. The barman offered to pull a different barrel through, so I waited and was glad I did, as it was very good. But this is no way to run a pub. (As I was about to leave another customer came in from the garden for another Off The Hook, but didn't receive an apology for the state of his previous beer - perhaps it wasn't quite as bad when he had it, but I doubt it.) I would have possibly stretched to a rating of 7 if the beer had been right first time, if the ambience hadn't been so fake and cold, and if it hadn't been for Mr Blue Sky on the background music. Why is it always Mr F*****g Blue Sky? Date of visit: 15th September 2023

Blockley is very much a chocolate box Cotswold village: if there was a coach park it would be full of fudge shops. The pub is at one end of the village, named for the railway which passes a mile or so down the road. It's built on steeply falling ground, two bars at street level then down a steep staircase to a pleasant terrace. We entered the terrace from the car park, so I only had a quick look inside to rustle up a waiter: it looks like it's had a recent refurbishment and felt too cramped for comfort. Outside was safe enough, only one other couple at 4pm on a Monday afternoon. Nice Hooky bitter appeared, along with signing-in form and contactless machine, and we enjoyed a pleasant half-hour in the sunshine with a lovely view over the valley.

Official site of The Great Western Arms - www.hooky.co.uk

Official site of The Great Western Arms - www.hooky.co.uk

Hook Norton tied house and cask marque accredited - which make the pint of soup they sold me for £4.10 all the more incredible. A cloudy, poor Hook Norton Gold. Two other punters in the place on a Sunday lunch and they were of Coffees. Slow turnover may have explained the dodgy pint. Can't really say too much to recommend it based on my visit.