A large town pub in a run-down area near Highbridge Station. I think it must have improved since the previous reviews though. Although it’s battered, it certainly wasn’t unpleasant. There is a gravel car park at the back which looks like a film set for Duke Nukem, with at least 2 wheel-less scrap cars waiting to be dragged away. I wouldn’t want to park here after dark. There is a relatively pleasant garden at the side, well kept, with neatly cut grass and tidy tables. Inside, the original rooms have been partially knocked through to create a small carpeted saloon on the left and a much larger wood-floored area in the right, which stretches the full length of the extended building. This area includes a games area with the pool table at the front – judging by the position of the lights, it was previously in the middle. There are 2 large seating areas in the centre, both with serveries, though only the front one, which also serves the saloon, was in use. There is a cosier lounge, also carpeted, and a room with a screen and projector for viewing sports matches at the back. The barman was friendly enough happy to chat, and we didn’t feel at all threatened by the other customers. There were 7 handpumps altogether, but only 3 ales and no real cider on. The ales were Tribute, Directors and Bombardier, not in the best condition but still drinkable. I probably wouldn’t be in a hurry to come back, but I’d be happy to stop for a drink if using the Station. by Coopers Arms in Highbridge by E TA at 07:09 on 30 September

This has existed in some form since the late 18th century (the Dover Castle), being rebuilt in the late 19th. It's in a rather godforsaken part of the world, full of faceless high-rise developments and student facilities, but is a short walk from the nightlife of Brick Lane. The place has certainly changed quite a bit in recent years. It used to look scruffy and displayed a large Stella banner around the top of the parapet. There were two projecting red and gold illuminated Courage box signs as well as a gold Courage cockerel. As a result of a refurbishment in 2015, sadly they've now gone and all that remains is a late-model Courage sign bracket. The grim colour scheme has also gone, to be replaced by one that's dark grey with the name picked out in gold lettering to the fascia.

Inside, and I was really quite impressed. You enter through one of two opposing entrances, both with semi-circular curtain rails suspending full length teal curtains. It's also here that you really notice the curved end with its banquette seating upholstered in violet leatherette. Furniture is a mixture of larger traditional tables or small marble topped tables, both home to tea lights in tumblers; thereafter seating is in the form of café-style chairs to the front room with more comfy seating to the rear. The floor is parquet, walls are white Anaglypta and the ceiling is unusual white matchboard. There's a very attractive barback with some plain and cut-glass mirrors along with an integrated clock and possibly some inlaid polychromatic tiling; there's also a little bare brick too. Above, there are three rather lovely hanging pineapple-shaped lanterns with etched glass. The walls sport simple shaded sconce lights. There's a rear room which features more bare brick and a fireplace; up top there's a beautiful festoon cornice. Décor is simple with just a few small, framed pop art prints. There are no TVs and music was muted. The lavs though let the place down a bit with some grafitti and just one tiny basin, with a large chunk of porcelain missing from the side. Unsurprisingly, customers were youngish and probably live in the high-rise blocks.

Unfortunately, there's neither real ale nor even any pumps, so I had to plump for a pint of 40 Ft Brewery's Dalston Sunrise at a gloomy £5.50; it wasn’t bad as far a keg stuff goes.

On balance I thought that this was a really nice pub, certainly not something I was expecting. I'd certainly return here if in the vicinity, but only really if the place were to start selling real ale which would get the score up by at least a point; the East End has no shortage of quality breweries. by The Castle in E1 by Tris C at 17:09 on 29 September

Our final stop of a short crawl of Northamptonshire was this village pub in Hardingstone.



We were greeted on arrival by a young waitress who offered us a table inside at the rear of the bar, or outside on a patio area. We initially sat on an indoors table reserved for a much later time. But we soon moved to a grassy area beyond the patio, where there is further bench seating and a children's play area.



Whilst the Sun appears to be food-dominated, there were 4 national real ales - Black Sheep Best Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Fuller's London Pride & Gale's Seafarers. But my attention was drawn to an additional handpull offering a real cider that I had not previously seen - Saxby's Straight Outta the Orchard. At 7.5%, it wasn't for the faint hearted. But it was very enjoyable.



I read that a CAMRA discount is offered. But it wasn't for the cider.



There is an outbuilding with another bar, adjacent to the patio area. The same building also houses outdoor toilets. Although there may be further toilets in the main building, which I did not spot.



A fitting end to a short afternoon visiting pubs in Northamptonshire. by The Sun Inn in Northampton by Blue Scrumpy at 13:09 on 29 September