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ONE PUB ONLY?
Malt Shovel Tavern
CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND?
Ther isn't any real ale between the station and the ground so head in the opposite direction and taxi back via Malt Shovel, King Billy and Old Black Lion
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT?
In Northampton?
|  |  King Billy
2 Commercial St NN1 1PJ Telephone 01604 621325
G Rachel Morgan
F Good value traditional menu with themed burger menu a feature 12 to 2.30, 6 to 9 Mon - Fri, 12 to 6 Sat - Sun
MP JB P D
O 12 to 11 Sun - Wed, 12 to 12 Thu – Sat
Ray was given the brief of finding two Northampton town centre pubs with a difference and the King Billy certainly fits the bill. It is a large single - bar pub that stands out from the crowd for its friendly rocky atmosphere. It is the epitome of the modern biker pub, i.e. full of caring people who know what makes a good time for them, and welcoming to those who wish to join in the fun.
The bar is arranged on different levels and, as the photo showsm was under the process of being renovated when we visited. Like all the best pubs of this type real ale plays a big part alongside Jack Daniels, Newcastle Brown ale and live music. The pub is peculiarly decorated with dark walls that are a must when the music is played at the weekends. There are also regular music festivals hosted at the pub, the following Sunday for example has ten bands playing throughout the day. It is also a traditional pub in the very best style. It may be odd to see push bikes in the bar and motor bikes in the pub garden; yet the locals also include the good old and young boys who like a good pint. The beers are ever - changing from the very best of national selections. Rachel is very enthusiastic about this pub and her style is everywhere. It is a fun pub of the best type, one that favourably contrasts with the others found in Northampton.
BWV 26.5.06: Black Sheep Bitter, Fuller’s Gale’s Festival, London Pride, Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Wadworth 6X, Young’s Waggledance | |  Malt Shovel Tavern
121 Bridge St. NN1 1QF Telephone 01604 234212 W www,themaltshoveltavern,com
G Norman Tetzlaff-Murrell
F Light bites menu and a range of special meals 12 to 2.30 Mon - Sat
SP
O 11.30 to 3, 5 to 11 Mon - Sat, 12 to 3, 7 to 12.30 Sun
The Malt Shovel is well recommended by rugby rather than footie fans. “If the Saints are at home it gets very crowded.” One would be led to think that they have this as a second home away from Frankland Gardens. It is a large wood and brick one bar tavern with a widely known reputation for quality ales. The owners’ love of real ale comes through in the beer memorabilia. This is a rightly popular haunt for ale travellers, myself included, who have often caught the train to Northampton with this pub as the Holy Grail. You even get a "scratch and sniff" experience from the brewery opposite. It was East Midlands pub of the year 2004, has regular blues nights and, something I recall with affection; it offers Gale’s Country wines for a different experience.
UPDATE: Look out for the pubs’ own Great Oakley brews.
BWV 16.11.04 Banks's Bitter, Blindmans Siberia, Frog Island Natterjack, Golden Hill, Exmoor Wildcat, RCH Old Slug Porter, Tetley's Cask Bitter, Westcroft Cider
BWV 19.11.05: Frog Island Natterjack, Fuller’s London Pride, Great Oakley Harpers, Tail Shaker, Nethergate Old Growler, Oakham Bishops Farewell, JHB, Stonehouse Old Smokey, Tetley’s Cask Bitter, Vale Black Swan Mild, Special | |  Melbourne Arms
Melbourne Lane Duston NN5 6HS Telephone 01604 752837
G Ken Morris
TV JB P
O 11 to 11 Mon - Thu, 11 to 12 Fri - Sat, 12 to 10.30 Sun
There are three regular beers on offer in this village pub. It has the feel of a local’s pub with pool table and sports team trophies. The low beams and stone walls help to give a warm feeling as does the chat with local fans. “Parking is an issue everywhere in Northampton so it might be a good idea to finish up here and walk down to the ground” My visit found the regulars settling in for the afternoon TV racing session. A good hour later the numbers hadn’t changed, neither had the number of winners, none. They told me the usual thing on a Saturday was to walk through the local estate to the ground, thus avoiding the congestion of warehouse shoppers mixing in with the lack of traffic control at the ground. This is a typical Northamptonshire pub in a village that has managed to keep some of its identity as the town has grown around it. Ken was very tolerant of my intrusion to the normal lunchtime activities, cheers Ken.
UPDATE: The Melbourne is totally unchanged.
BWV 16.11.04: Courage Directors, Best, Fuller’s London Pride
BWV 26.5.06: Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Courage Best, Directors, Wells Bombardier
| |  Old Black Lion
1 Black Lion Hill NN1 1SW Telephone 01604 639472
G Steven Wilkinson
MP SK JB P
O 12 to 11 Mon - Sat, 12 to 10.30 Sun
The Old Black Lion is located on the main route from the railway station to the town centre. It looks like a traditional old fashioned pub from the outside, especially when seen with the parish church next door. It is therefore, a bit of a surprise when one enters, to find that the pub has a modern design; wooden floors, bright painted walls and an open plan layout that includes steps down into a separate lounge.
I really liked this recommendation. Steven has returned to the pub and has plans to build up the trade based on good real ale and in the future quality food. The ale includes my favourite Frog Island ales, from the brewery along the road. No doubt there will be an increase the number of office workers and lunchtime trade. At present the pub is very much a locals and regulars pub, a bit of a guarded secret. The sports fans are catered for by large screens and a pull down version. Those fans are more likely to appreciate rugby than the Cobblers, as appears common among the real ale drinkers in this town. It can get busy before the game if fans arrive by train. As with all the town pubs it is a long hike to the ground, but here the taxis at the station will be easier to find. Ray had succeeded in his quest and we settled to a beer while watching the window cleaner rather than me thrashing him at pool as usual.
BWV 26.5.06: Courage Best, Frog Island Natterjack, Shoemaker
Old Black Lion (update)
The Old Black Lion is the natural choice for fans arriving by train, though it’s also handy for the coach station and town centre. The pub is used chiefly by locals, but its just off-centre location doesn’t tend to attract the town crowd. It can be crowded when sporting events are held in town, but less so than pubs nearer the action. On the day of my visit, the football and rugby games were both kicking off at 3pm, but the pub was still quiet. There was no food that day, or indeed at any other time.
It’s a split level pub, carpeted throughout in red swirls. One room features a pool table - with a separate area for darts and skittles - and there’s a spacious lower level room that tends to be quieter. It’s always good to find a pub supporting the local peculiarity of Northamptonshire Skittles, along with the Frog Island beers brewed a short walk away. Sadly, it is one of the few outlets for Frog Island in town.
Sixfields is walkable if you are fit. Enjoy the exercise, if not the scenery. Alternatively, buses and taxis are plentiful.
BWV 20.10.07: Courage Best, Frog Island Shoemaker, Natterjack
Chris Ackrill
Facebook page | |  Old Wooden Walls of England
25 High St. Collingtree NN4 0NE Telephone 01604 764082
G Melvin Howles
F Traditional Pub food with a rustic touch 12 to 3, 6 to 9 Mon - Sat, 12 to 4 Sun
SP TV BM P
O 12 to 3, 5 to 11 Mon - Sat, 12 to 10.30 Sun
This pub is also a long standing destination of our Milton Keynes based real ale researches. Our charabanc trips would arrive here early doors as it always had a good welcome. Nothing has changed even though the Guvn’or may have. “Two small bars make for a real Northamptonshire village pub just off J15 of the M1.” Cosy and warm, one area is set aside for food but the ever - changing guest beers attract real ale fans as well as foodies. Beer mats adorn the beams of this classic village pub. The pub name conjures up images of bygone strengths and long may the traditional ales be served by Melvin in this great pub. My early morning visit found fires being stoked for the regular lunchtime trade. Many visitors to the town do not know of Collingtree, hidden by brash Golf courses and hotels. If you don’t fancy the hassle of a stroll around the town centre then this country pub is a real alternative.
UPDATE: Melvin arrived in July and things are changing. The pub has a new menu and the gardens are opened up for families to enjoy.
BWV 16.11.04: Banks’s Bitter, Camerons Strongarm, Hook Norton Old Hooky, Marston’s Pedigree
BWV 19.11.05: Banks’s Bitter, Hook Norton Old Hooky, Jennings Cocker Hoop, Marston’s Pedigree | | | NORTHAMPTON CAMRA | | 
SIXFIELDS STADIUM
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LOCAL BREWERY
Frog Island Brewery
The Maltings
Westbridge
St James Rd
Northampton
NN5 5HS
Tel: 01604 587772
www.frogislandbrewery.co.uk
| | WETHERSPOONS
The Moon on the Square 6 The Parade Market Square Northampton NN1 2EA Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am
The Cordwainer The Ridings NorthamptonNN1 2AQ Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-2am
The Eastgate 98-102 Abington Street Northampton NN1 2BP Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-12.30am; Fri/Sat 9am-2am
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