The Artful Dodger

Unfortunately this is no longer the pleasant corner pub with an unusual ale or two that the previous reviewer found. It has been turned into a trendy bar called Acorn 20.

The pub’s sign does not bode well. The dancing image of the famous character from Oliver Twist and the wacky writing promise the kind of 80s themed pub hell that died out over a decade ago. I entered expecting such varied delights as plastic furniture, video machines and perhaps even a bowling alley. Thankfully I was wrong. The reality is a decent local boozer with a pleasing variety of offerings at the bar. There is a pool table, a modest number of games machines and a small beer garden that is covered by a vine-​clad pergola. Its proximity to the station is a likely indication that it gets busy after work. For maximum enjoyment arrive on a Saturday afternoon when all the idiots are drinking elsewhere in the town.