The Malt House, Andover

A large town pub on a main road into Andover. There is parking at the front and side, though there is also plenty of space to park on the adjoining roads. Bench seating has been put at the front taking up some of the parking space, while the garden doesn’t amount to much. Inside, the single bar is irregular in shape, open plan, the carpets mentioned below replaced with wooden flooring. There was quiet background music on, the staff were pleasant and the locals tolerant. There was smoke drifting into the bar from outside, which made things less comfortable than they should have been. Only one ale on, Betty Stoggs, which was in good condition. OK for a pint if passing.

The last time I tried to visit this pub 3 years ago, it was closed and had been renamed the Lunar Hare. Renamed again as the Malt House, it is a fairly large pub with a couple of rooms on a busy roundabout on the edge of town. Butcombe Original is the regular ale. Andwell King John was the guest. The pub was not too busy on our Tuesday evening visit. There are tables outdoors in the car park.