The Carpenters Arms, Windsor

Nicely done up for xmas i found this a lot better than i had on previous visits .Very busy with lunches.6 cask beers on and my Brewyork -x panda was good.

An attractive looking Nicholson’s pub tucked away down a pedestrianised alleyway but virtually opposite the castle, it has front and rear entrances and is split across a couple of levels, with both an upper and lower section at the rear. Internally it doesn’t have quite the character of many of their outlets, but is nonetheless pleasant enough in a slightly bland sort of way. The lower part of the walls were clad with dark blue wood panelling with either cream or dark green plasterwork above, although in some areas this extended to almost the whole wall, giving the place an almost elegant feel. Flooring was mostly parquet wood whilst the seating was mostly regular tables and chairs with fitted Chesterfield style padded bench seating in the windows at the front. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling and there were various old black and white photos and portrait drawings on the walls as well as a small section of stained glass in a skylight. A display case at the rear housed a number of beer related books and wood working implements. An interesting feature on the lower level was an exposed section of old tunnel which had been dressed with a couple of nights in armour and stacks of old beer crates and barrels. A reference to some sort of former smuggling perhaps? Beers on tap included Bedlam’s East Coast Pale Ale, Dark Star Hophead, Rev James and their own Nicholson’s Pale Ale, although I think there were one or two others that I neglected to note. Ciders meanwhile were Mortimer’s Orchard, Rosie’s Pig and Old Rosie. All in all, not a bad spot, but it had a little too much of a corporate feel for me.

Another 2019 Good Beer Guide Entry. A nicholsons pub over three floors. Classic Nicholsons decor - with the Ashbys Ales tiling on the front step pointing to a different history. Friendly regulars amongst the tourists and friendly bar staff. London Pride was best pint of 3 in the town.