The Crown Inn, Andover

A lively local in a large corner pub in what was once an affluent small town. The building is early 20th Century apparently, though it has been modernised and extended to the rear in recent years. The front two bars have been knocked through to form a single long bar which is carpeted. The ceiling is low, with exposed timbers and wood panelling. The rear bar is larger and mostly undistinguished. The young staff were pleasant, the locals rather more accepting than when I last came here in 1988 and had my nose split open during a discussion over whose turn it was on the pool table. Only one ale on, Doombar, which was in fair condition. It’s OK for a pint or two if in the area.

Tidy looking pub with a nice exterior paint job but upon entering it’s dark with blue lighting…this on a sunny Saturday afternoon! No ale, plenty of megakeggery twaddle and ‘lads’ in Fred Perry/England shirts, later determined to be squaddies. Decided to cut my losses and head onwards. If you want traditional, the Queens Head over the way is the pick. This one seemed like something out Andover town centre.