The Old White Hart, Northampton

A large multi room pub, with a modern style interior. Used by predominantly the younger crowd, sitting around the good sized oval shaped bar, or taking advantage of the large back room along with some comfortable seating arrangements to watch sport on the large screen. There was also another large screen in the front bar over on the right hand wall. The bar area was very trendy with a decent display of spirits and wine along the back servery. I asked the young barman what was on handpump and he replied cask ale. We finally found out that they had a choice of two beers from Potbelly, which were Beijing Black and Best Bitter. We went for the Potbelly Best, which was ok and saw another couple of blokes drinking, so that was a plus.

A fine building from outside with any semblance of internal character now removed, leaving a high-ceilinged rectangular room with mushroom-coloured walls, faux-stone tiled floor and fake marble-topped Indy Motor Speedway-shaped bar. Varying wall decorations, including a Rothko-style print, 3x3 black and white photo group of British actors and sportspeople and a Warhol-type print of the Queen. Three handpumps but only one in action serving an OK Purity Hop Bunny. You'd visit because it's there, but given the choice, I'd rather sink an extra pint in The Pomfret Arms.

Imposing hotel building retaining some fine old Phipps tiling along the façade. Rather more modern than it first appears, though, with quite smart furniture and decor in the bar area and side dining room. However, the tiled floor and high ceiling makes the whole place echo badly, something the background music fails to improve atmosphere-wise. Substantial beer garden to the rear. Two of three handpumps in operation, with the seasonal Bah! Gundog! from the local Gun Dog Brewery (£3.50) and Old Rosie cider on offer.