Old Black Lion, Northampton

An interesting exterior with two buildings joined together to form the present day pub.One building is in local stone with good external green tiles,while the other to the right is plainer and the doors here dont operate.The internal is far less interesting,to the left of the entrance is a large collection of sofas with Sky Sports TV,while the central bar leads to a small side seating area with dado rail before the descent into the other building which has a collection of modern tables and chairs,pine flooring ,darts board and Northamptonshire skittles. A small suit of armour offers a talking point. It has a boozer atmosphere and is popular with local Irish residents but had the feel of a pubco owned premises with the sole real ale on offer the nationally available St Austell Tribute (£3 in ok condition) An unremarkable interior and dull ale choice do not mark this pub out as one to go out of your way to visit,but it's the nearest to the station and is fine for a quick one before getting your train.

I made my way through the large police presence outside this pub about half an hour before Luton Town's game at Sixfields was due to kick off. I heard one copper say to another that their efforts this day had been "well worth while", another with a bit more to him commented, as I chained my bike to the railings of the next door church, that it would be a poor show if it went missing while they were all stood around. Humour was to be found indoors as well, as one member of the bar team had enjoyed writing a list of grievances above the bar (see photo). Her colleague distinguished herself by totally ignoring me at the bar until I was pointed out by another customer, though to be fair it turned out to have been her day off. There are four hand pumps on the bar, though only one beer was available, another pump having a reversed pump clip.The beer was Frog island Gold Pride, which was in good condition although not really to my taste. Although not what I would call a destination pub, this is a friendly local in a lovely old building (strictly two buildings, one in beautiful Jurassic limestone) that is handy for the station.