The Oak, Warwick

The narrow terraced frontage leads to a three-part bar with the counter in the central section. Quite gloomy inside, despite the white walls, and the dark semi-modern furniture hardly helps. Patio area to the rear. Four of five handpumps in operation, offering London Pride, Black Sheep, Abbeydale Moonshine (£3.30) and Wyld Wood cider.

Incredibly basic locals boozer, a long narrow knocked-through interior. Front area décor note were the four pics of Warwick Auction cows, weirdly modern each painted over four planks of wood. Rest of the place was bashed and battered round the edges and I was wondering whether to get out early, but at the bar were five pumps with an eclectic range of ales; Abbeydale, Dark Star Original, GK IPA, York Guzzler and a house beer of unknown provenance. My Dark Star was in impressive nick and served up by a friendly landlord. Very local male clientèle (the pool table was raucous) but friendly enough. Also utterly basic rolls at the bar and my ham roll was literally, ham in a roll. Clearly making an effort and worth a stop if you’re willing to accept the testosterone-fuelled atmosphere and simplified approach.