HIGH WYCOMBE.

Another Wetherspoon conversion which has fitted in well with the student clientele during term time. This one is near the centre of the Cornmarket. It uses the same style of decor as in the other pubs in the chain, including books on the walls and lots of cubicles and recesses. Some might say a cluttered pub, but others say it has a more traditional feel to it than a barn where sweet flavoured alcohol is sold. It has all the usual trapping like cheap good quality food, coffee at half the price of those expensive shops and an atmosphere where you can converse at lunchtimes without being overheard. There is a disabled toilet and access and a no smoking area. They have a guest ale (sometimes two) on at most times and the food is inexpensive and plenty full and sometimes imaginative as well. You cant miss it, it's right next to the Cornmarket building.

Another of the Hobgoblin pubs that caters for the younger clientele. A student pub basically, just a few doors down from the Wetherspoon. Inside the low ceiling leads to two levels (the disabled can get in the back through the beer garden, but only to the lower area). The bar faces you as you enter, though you can get served along the side, as the bar actually extends into the lower  level of the pub. There is seating on both levels, a mixture of pews, benches and chairs. Tables come in all sizes and shapes, though on a busy night there is no room to move or sit. On the walls are old pictures of brewing and stuff, and there are a couple of glass cabinets promoting the Wychwood Brewery products. There are usually three or four Wychwood beers on tap including their specials. The music is kept quiet during the day so conversation is possible, but there is more noise at night. A good place to have a drink and a bite to eat, though the food is not expansive (at least on this visit). On Monday nights there is the "funniest pub quiz". Try it and see. Not far from the station. No accommodation here but try:

Found overlooking the duck pond on the green. The Red Lion is very much a traditional village pub. Those wishing to settle down with a quiet pint will enjoy the comfortable lounge bar. With a large open log fire and low beamed ceiling. The Red Lion is a most attractive place to catch up on the local news and enjoy a glass of real ale: Fuller's London Pride and Breakspears on this occasion. Bar food is served 12-3pm and 6-9pm. Sunday lunch is good and there are vegetarian meals available. Prices for food are around £6.95. At the Red Lion the food is superb and the varied menu includes old favourites such as steak and ale pie along with a list of daily specials. There is also a good air filtration system for those smokey days. During the summer, guests can use the small patio area at the front of the pub which is teeming with flowers, as well as a lawn area furnished with picnic tables and chairs. The Red Lion boasts several sporting teams for locals and, there is a room set aside for games where customers enjoy playing darts, cribbage and bar billiards.

A student town, High Wycombe has the usual Hobgoblin and Wetherspoon in the central Cornmarket next to the market square. However, this pub is set slightly to the back of town by Iceland and the bus station and is more of a locals pub, they even have pub games such as darts and bar billiards. From the outside it is an unimposing sight with a few blackboards advertising its specials and TV. The L-shaped pub has a matching L-shaped bar divided by a pillar. The bar itself appears like a serving hatch cut into a wall as there is no overhang just a bar which meets a low ceiling. On the pumps are a selection of beers and we are told this is the best selection in town (although the Wetherspoon wasn't that bad when we visited). Beers on this occasion were (Rebellion) Marlow Blonde, and Greene King Abbott and IPA. All were well kept and served without sparkler by default on this visit. Prices were a little steep, but this is the "South". Seating is arranged around the outside wall where there are fixed benches and square tables supplemented with stools. The decor is dark with cream contrast and dark carpets. Staff were helpful and after work there is a reasonable ambience created by a good sized clientele. The Rose and Crown can get busy at lunchtimes however, as that is only when food is served, though not at weekends. Prices for food were reasonable and the fayre was a traditional pub selection. As a town pub there is no beer garden here. Not far from the station, there is no accommodation here, but try the Alexandra Hotel on Queen Alexandra Road Map (01494) 463494 which is a short walk away.

Wycombe Wines (20 Crendon Street, Bucks) (01494) 437228. An off licence this, but still worth a visit if you are in town. Stocking mainly bottled beers including a Belgian range, Wycombe Wines also does take home polypins of beer from Breakspear amongst others. On this visit there were polypins of Special and Bitter on the floor. Prices are OK, though look out for the specials. They also allow you top bring in your own 4-pint container and they will fill it.