Three Swans Hotel, Market Harborough

An old coaching inn in the centre of Market Harborough, it has now been considerably extended towards the rear and includes extensive accommodation as well as function rooms and so on. There is also an attractive patio area at the rear with plenty of shade for the sunny weather. Internally it consists of a couple of rooms, with the main bar being at the front. A glass porch was inset in to the front of the bar and this had been etched with a three swans motif. Décor wise it might be described as traditional with a contemporary twist – sanded wooden boards on the floor, some varnished wood panelling on the lower part of the walls and so on, but more modern touches as well such as spotlights on a track and exposed filament bulbs hanging above the bar. Fireplaces were at either side, one with a gilded mirror above and the other a large clock, whilst the rear wall was covered in some unusual purple buttoned velvet padding. The room at the rear was perhaps a little more atmospheric with flagstones on the floor and a beamed ceiling, but this too still managed to be quite contemporary in style. Despite three pumps on the bar, two had their clips reversed leaving Wadworth’s Horizon as the sole offering. The solitary cider meanwhile was Magners. Probably one of the better spots in the centre of Market Harborough, but then that’s not exactly difficult.

The Three Swans is a lovely building externally which has had the Best Western treatment inside. There are still original features and it's not a bad spot but you can always feel the dead corporate hand. The upside of this is that it seems to host various conference teams and so the atmosphere can get lively and there's occasionally some totty around. Two beers were on when we visited, Nobbys Guilsborough Gold and Langton Hop On. Both very local breweries and judging by the pump clips displayed behind the bar, most of the Three Swans beer comes from these two breweries. No bad thing as they both produce quaffable ale. One of the better spots in Market Harborough for a reliable pint.

Owned by the Best Western hotel chain,there is a corporate feel to the furnishing and carpets but some interesting original features to the ground floor lounge bar.The Georgian frontage has two bay windows either side of the entrance,while there is a courtyard entrance to the left for access to the rear dining room. The front lounge has two fireplaces,both coal affect gas contraptions and only one lit.The bar to the left has ornate wood carving surrounds and the cornicing looked original.Three handpumps with two dispensing ales from Nobby's and Langton which were in reasonable shape.There seems to be a Locale policy here for real ale.The larger back area the other side of the bar has quarry tiling,a flatscreen tv ,a massive banquette and appears to be the more lively drinking area,and there were a good number of punters in on a Thursday evening.There is a long internal corridor to the loos and restaurant,while the upper floors are for guest bedrooms. A safe bet for a pint,but not quite enough to warrant an extended stay.