There are some great pubs in towns and cities, but it's hard to
beat an attractive country location.
The Which Guide to Country
Pubs, from the Consumers' Association and Penguin at around
£15, unashamedly concentrates on these popular inns. Good
directions are essential in the country, and this guide starts
well with full colour maps that would grace a road atlas, following
through with fair directions. There's no organisation by county,
though.
Good balanced entries, often with a light comment that seems to make them more personal, give a practical view of what the pub's all about. There are plenty of details on opening hours, and a standard layout shows sample dishes and prices. An 'out and about' section of short entries corresponds to the Good Pub Guide's lucky dip. Probably the closest competitor to that mighty tome, The Which Guide may even have the edge for rural establishments, though of course it lacks the town and city locations.
