This user has reviewed the following pubs:

Pinwall Pubs : Red Lion At Pinwall pub in Pinwall near Atherstone
'This cosy inn has everything that the thirsty traveller could want, good food, execellent beer and good company. The only drawback is that it is in the middle of nowhere and therefore transport is essential; not a good idea in these days of breathalyzers and vigilant police. The interior is a mish-mash of furniture indicative of a non-chain inn, none the worse for that. On the wall by the entrance is diplayed a certificate, evidence that this pub has won the prestigious CAMRA Pub of the Month award. The food is good and a wide choice is available. The beer is excellent, real (as in genuine Real Ale) and includes such classics as Timothy Taylor's Landlord. Accomodation is available as well though prior booking is essential as this popular location gets filled quickly. Strongly recommended, but take a non-drinking driver with you!'
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Atherstone Pubs : The Old Red Lion Hotel pub in Atherstone
'Though having a bar, the Old Red Lion is primarily a hotel, one that has probably seen better days. It has a long history and was in former times a stagecoach halt, testimony to which can be seen in the entrance archway. The bar has a flagstone floor and occupies what probably was then the stables, now roofed over with a glass roof and entered also by glass doors from the rear car park. Next to the bar is a pool room and above the front entrance to the bar is a large back-projection TV, usually showing music TV stations and the occasional football match. As a bar the Old Red Lion has little to offer. The beers on offer are the usual keg beers and lagers plus a meagre selection of bottled beers found in most average pubs. However, there are two genuine handpumps though availability of Real Ale is variable. During my stay there was John Smiths Cask though that was withdrawn later. There was also a beer from Elgoods brewery but that remained cloudy though drinkable. As a hotel it has little to recommend it. You can find my full review here: http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/cityguide_travel/city_guide/hotels_in_warwickshire_in_general/_review/437278/'
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Aston Pubs : The Bartons Arms pub in Aston near Birmingham
'The Bartons Arms is situated on Aston High Street which is also the A34 so this is a main through-route. You'll find it easily; it stands out a mile. It stands out because it is the oldest building around but not old and derelict; old and beautifully restored. If in doubt, look out for the imposing Clocktower that stands above the main entrance; you can't miss it. The pub is one of just a few owned by the Oakham Ales brewery of Peterborough. This Victorian watering hole was built in 1901 and is without a shadow of a doubt one of the finest pub interiors in England and probably in the whole of the UK. The only one its equal I have visited is the Philharmonic in Liverpool. It was originally built as the flagship of the Mitchell's and Butler brewery. It was listed as a Grade 2 heritage building in 1976. Oakham Ales acquired it in 2002 and set about restoring it to its former glory, a task that they have completed with distinction. Much of the interior is original. Everywhere you will see rich mahogany fittings, engraved and stained windows, engraved mirrors and wall to wall tiles. Seating is a mixture of upholstered wall benches and free-standing chairs. The whole feel of the place is of tradition. However, this is not at the expense of gloominess or unfriendliness. The whole place is bright and spotlessly clean. The building is roughly wedge-shaped with the bar at the 'pointy' end. Behind the bar are further rooms, on an open-plan design. There is plenty of room for dozens of guests. The pub does have a car park . It will come as no surprise to learn that Oakham's ales feature prominently on the bar. During our visit the ales available were J.H.B. (3.8% abv), Bishops Farewell (4.6% abv) and Helterskelter (5.0% abv). All were in tip-top condition. The major ales are all Real Ales and served through traditional hand-pumps. There are also keg offerings for those whose tastebuds are not sufficiently developed to appreciate Real Ales. Uniquely, there is also a tap for the REAL Budweiser; that's the Czech version, 'subtitled' Budvar, rather than the American rubbish. If you ever see it in most bars it's usually only in bottles. There is also wine available. However, the exceptional ales are not the only attraction. The Bartons Arms is also renowned for its food. Featuring exclusively a Thai style menu, the choices are extensive and offer very good value. On this occasion I wanted just a snack and chose a Special Fried Rice style dish, with beef. At just £2.95 I thought that it would be just enough to 'put me on'. What arrived was an utterly delicious dish that I could have easily chosen a a main meal all on its own. So much for my snack! My colleagues eating with me chose other dishes at around £4-5 and also proclaimed them excellent. The Bartons Arms is also suitable for functions. They offer a Meeting/Dining Room that will hold about 30 and a private Function Room for about 100. For a party this location would be excellent although travelling to and from would need to be considered. There is no doubt that this hostelry is of the very highest quality and deserves to be much better known than it appears to be, judged by the numbers present during my visit. Maybe it gets a far better turnout in the evenings.'
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Camberley Pubs : Claude Du Vall pub in Camberley
'The Claude du Vall, named after a 17th century French-born highwayman, follows the proven and very successful Wetherspoons formula. Do not expect any entertainment; no TV, no music. What you do get is good beer and good food at very reasonable prices. The beers on offer include a local gem, T.E.A. (Traditional English Ale) from the Hogsback Brewery in Tongham, about 6/7 miles from Camberley. You will also find such staples as Fuller's London Pride plus, for those of less discerning taste, various lagers. The Claude du Vall is a reasonable sized pub but the size is all in length and not width. The shape was determined by the former premises. The frontage is only the width of the single shop, from which it was converted, so the only way that they could go was backwards from the street. This results in a few limitations. As with many Wetherspoons, the frontage onto the street is open in summer and here you can sit and watch the World go by whilst enjoying your bevvy. However, due to the limited width of the premises, only a few tables enjoy this light and airy outlook. Behind, as the open room stretches back, the room gets gloomier and darker, there being little natural light. A little relief is provided by a minute patio at the right side of the building where you can sit in the open at four to five tables that each will provide seating for around four people. The patio doors allow some light into the room at that side but this soon gives way to the natural darkness. This has not been the most successful of Wetherspoons conversions but, given the limitations of the premises, it's difficult to know what else they could have done. Actually, it was Yates, who got the premises next door, that had the greatest promise and to which the more successful development has been done. Nevertheless, the service and the quality of the food and drink is up to the usual excellent standard. Just bring your own candle.'
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