Berkshire pub review: Inspector calls at former coaching inn near 'real' Downton Abbey

The Inspector passes through an old coaching inn near the "real" Downton Abbey where the dining room "buzzes with bonhomie" (but his room under the building's roof seems "cramped") The Inspector stays at Hare & Hounds in Newbury, near Highclere CastleThe hostel's 30 rooms are spread across the main building and three outbuildings "Newbury isn't overrun with pubs like this", writes the Inspector Remember let the inspector pay his way...and say it like it's

By

Posted: 10:59 BST , July 12, 2022 | Updated: 10:59 BST, 12 July 2022

The Watermill Theater on the outskirts of Newbury in West Berkshire is one of those little-known glories of the Counties House - although much loved and not unfamiliar to locals.

Within walking distance is the newly opened Hare & Hounds, with 30 rooms spread over in the main building and three outbuildings including the stables.

What we have in this former coaching inn is quite classic after a major renovation: nothing too flashy, humor (soldiers with dog heads), chandeliers and antler lights, quotes on the joys of alcohol painted on the walls. And reasonable prices.

Beware, our room upstairs in the main house is in the attic and feels cramped, with a small window overlooking the parking lot. Really, it should be a single room. There is no room for proper bedside tables; no place for a mirror above the basin; no room for a chair of any description.

Highclere Castle (as in Downton Abbey) is nearby and clearly Grosvenor Pubs - which has three other establishments of the same genre – hope this will be a selling point. Even so, it seems overkill to have a room called Highclere and another called Downton.

The large wraparound bar should do a good job...