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Image posted by Blackthorn _
Submitted on Sunday, 13th August 2017
With picture contributions to 5202 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (4 more images)
Detail Pages
The Carnarvon Arms, Newbury
Burghclere
Postal town: Newbury
RG20 9LE
Served areas
Reviews of The Carnarvon Arms (Average Rating: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Carnarvon Arms
A decent looking pub in this small village, it is named after Lord Caernarvon of the nearby Highclere Castle, which of course, is better known to millions around the world as Downton Abbey. I was expecting all sorts of Downton memorabilia inside the pub, but in fact the only thing that I noticed to appeal to tourists was an A-board outside enticing them in to try our world famous afternoon tea.
There’s a good sized seating area out the front and inside it’s a little more contemporary than I was perhaps expecting with a tiled floor, a very pale brown paint on the ceiling and much of the walls (unfortunately they had pained straight over all the old ceiling beams) and green painted wood panelling on the lower part of the walls. A fireplace was off to the right with a plasma screen stuck up on the wall above it, although fortunately this was not in use on our visit. A pile of board games were on a shelf near the bar. A smaller room off to the left had a parquet wood floor, whilst another at the rear had carpet and wallpaper depicting fox hunting scenes. Most of these looked to be more geared up for dining.
Beers on tap were Wadworth’s Farmers Glory, West Berkshire’s Good Old Boy and Deuchars IPA. A fourth pump appeared unused. Ciders meanwhile were Orchard Thieves and Strongbow Cloudy Apple.
On 18th August 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1949 recommendations about 1862 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Carnarvon Arms
One of (insert ‘enfant terrible’-style cliché here) Marco Pierre-White’s places so is obviously a heavily food-led outlet that at least retains some basic pub features. The exterior has some nice foliage and front seating for a balmy summer evening (as opposed to the drizzly Friday afternoon of my visit). Main bar as you enter, painted dark brown with a case of stuffed birds to the left wall. To the right are extra dining rooms including one that had a massive metal dome server like you’d see in a medieval banquet. Indeed my companion commented that the lunchtime crowd did have a rather impressive average BMI (for once we may actually have helped lower it). Three pumps at the bar, dispensing the house beer Guv’nor brewed by Lees alongside (somewhat oddly, given the high-brow nature of the place) a Greene King Halloween seasonal and Westons Old Rosie cider - so no local produce! I inevitably opted for the Guv’nor and got a short measure for my troubles despite the promise of a top-up by the barman who departed in a hurry without doing it. The resulting beer was a little on the flat side for my liking, though it was surprisingly inexpensive given the venue and had a distinct taste. This place is so posh the door to the toilets is unmarked *sigh*. I did notice once finally there that Marco’s sourcing of painters and decorators isn’t as good as his food - the finishing was ropey and there were paint splashes on the floor. Tut. Anyway, I’ve ticked the place off but I’d rather have a pint at the Carpenters down the road which is probably where Marco would want me.
On 14th November 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
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- Official site of the Carnarvon Arms, contains menus and wine list - www.carnarvonarms.com
- Facebook - Carnarvon Arms
- Twitter - The Carnarvon Arms
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Carnarvon Arms - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : Yes last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
- Car Park : Yes last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
- Darts : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- Jukebox : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 13 November 2013 by Quinno _
