Crown & Anchor, Stone

Oh dear. From the outside it does indeed look like a good traditional boozer. Inside is just not in keeping with what you would expect. While its not too bad a place it is just... a disappointment. One real ale on.

The Crown and Anchor is a nice looking pub from the outside with a thatched roof. Once inside the pub has been done up to within an inch of it life,the front left looks really bad with lots of battleship grey in evedence,plus tall tables and chairs and american diner type seating,the front right looks a bit better with leather bench seating. There is a large island bar,the rear area looks slightly better than the front with a couple of TVs showing Sky Sports,the seting in this area was comfy bench type and normal tables and chairs,but the battleship grey was still here. There were two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Castle Rock Harvest Pale which was just on the turn but drinkable,the other beer was London Pride. There was some very good background music playing. The pub was empty on my dinnertime visit,which was surprising as Stone was packed at the time of my visit with shoppers. The pub was being re thatched at the time of my visit which spoilt my photo. Pub visited 7/12/2013

A detached white rendered and black beam Swiss Cottage styled pub, with extension and dormer windows. The interior is open plan around the central bar, but it is all in the middle of a refurbishment and seems to be changing its name to the Stone Steakhouse and becoming far more food orientated. Indeed, apart form a DJ area and small dance floor with high stools and trendy mirrors, this place seems totally food orientated- all tables. the decor is read and mainly white, with the beam interior. There are a few TVs showing various things - Sky, adverts etc. The service was fine, the clientele mixed, from families with babies to mature couples. Beer; tap stuff, with Deuchars the only handpull on, which to be fair was decent considering it's not my favourite. The Pedigree was off. Still undergoing the refurb, this place can no longer really be thought of as a pub, especially if they are cutting back on the beers. I wouldn't bother again.