Coach & Horses, Uxbridge

Nice pub with 5 ales on when I called including Proper Job and Gale's Seafarers ale. I went for the latter and it was excellent. We sat out the front in the sun and watched the world pass by for a while. I would happily call again.

There are six handpumps here, with only five being clipped and the sixth with a little "coming soon" sign hung on it, without indicating what was coming soon - another ale presumably. The five on were Doom Bar, London Pride, Wadworth 6X, and the St Austell pair of Tribute and Proper Job (£1.65 a half). There are menus on all the tables of course. Sandwiches are £6+, with chips an extra £2.79; the mature cheddar and bacon beefburger is £10.29. But on weekday lunchtimes they do main courses at £6 a go, with things like a classic beefburger and baked lasagne included - and include chips! When I sat down in here I thought that it had the corporate, hotel lounge look, that fell somewhere between a Stonegate and Ember Inns pub. Well, it is now a Stonegate pub, and clearly some of its ambience as an Embers Inns pub remains from the time when it was under that branding. The pub itself is clearly an old country pub, but it no longer has anything that you would associate with a country pub other than the low ceilings, and large fireplace. There's now a servery in the centre of the place with several dining and drinking areas wrapped around it. Some are carpeted, and some are bare-boarded; one has the clear look of a dining area (though I didn't see any "wait to be seated" signs); one or two are vaguely pub-like; while others have the look of a hotel lounge. Something for everyone then. Furnishings are a mix of tall tables/tall stools, normal tables and chairs, and armchairs. There's outside seating to the side of the pub - a beer garden even - and a car park at the back. It's got a predictable corporate feel to it, but the beer's reasonably priced, as is the food as long as you visit during a weekday lunchtime. It's not one to seek out for the beer, but sitting outside on a nice day would be a pleasure.

Official site of Coach & Horses - www.classicinns.co.uk

Official site of Coach & Horses - www.classicinns.co.uk

Previously The Chequers, this Stonegate pub is well described by Steve, below, though I'm pleased to say the smell of vinegar he describes has gone. The emphasis has switched back to beer and there are seven ales on draft: Pride, Deuchres IPA, Harvey's Gold, New World, Hogs Back TEA, Warringtons and Razorback. Two 'craft' beers also on, New Moon and Hophouse. Food was good, although mass-produced, and they also offer Sunday roasts. The gaming machines are a bit annoying, but the staff were friendly. A good evening venue if you've time in hand.