Coach & Horses, Wellingborough

Not a lot to add to the review by Will. Again a midweek visit - [last week],again ,8 beers to choose from,only able to try two as I was actually heading for Kettering and noticed the pub as I went past on the bus !!

This is a traditional roadside pub on the edge of the town centre. The internal walls have been removed leaving a large room with a long bar, though it is far from being a drinking barn. The renovation is in the modern retro-style, with wood floor and panelling, wooden tables and chairs, so there's a real pub feel to the place. The only jarring note is provided by the piped music, which may be a bit on the loud side for some - but on the other hand, if you're going to play music, there's no need to be shy about it. There are ten hand pumps and they were serving eight beers from eight different breweries - I won't list them as they'll have changed several times already since my visit last week. The Hereford Dark that I tried was a little tired, but this is not unexpected on a quiet Tuesday when eight beers are available. I also had a Woild Moild from Wolf Brewery of Attleborough, which was better, though I struggled with the pronunciation. There's a vast collection of pump clips, as you'd expect, and some appeared to be very old indeed. Also to be found on beams, ledges, shelves and in cupboards were some old jugs, bottles and soda fountains - quite a collection. An advertisement over the fireplace for Dulley's Stout commemorated the hundredth anniversary of the local brewery in 1902, and its "Red Well water", now also commemorated by the Wetherspoons of that name just down the road. The landlord was very friendly and didn't mind when I said I wanted to take some photos for this website. I have taken marks off for the music and for the less than perfect beer, and also for the cheeky 10-out-of-10 in his own review!

Coach & Horses page at the Charnwood Pub Co site - www.charnwoodpubco.co.uk

Coach & Horses page at the Charnwood Pub Co site - www.charnwoodpubco.co.uk

This really is a good proper pub. There is an outstanding choice of beer and good choice of wine plus interesting soft drinks, etc. The food is good affordable pub food. It is a very clean, well managed place. Interesting collection of good historical pub memorabilia was installed at the time of its relatively high standard recent refurbishment. No idiots tolerated so it is a civilised place for a grown-up night out. There is a good mix of folk regulars and visitors alike. I am without a doubt this is the best pub in Wellingborough - the only really decent place is the fact. For smokers there is an extensive covered and sheltered heated outbuilding - the best smoking accommodation you can find outside of Westminster's House of Commons bars (I kid you not!). And in Northamptonshire it must be in the top 10. For my point of view there is one more outstanding quality - it is virtually next-door to my house. I am one lucky son-of-a-gun.