The Chequers Inn, Lincolnshire

Overview

Step inside The Chequers Inn at Woolsthorpe, a quintessential village pub that's committed to top-class food and drink. Feeding the locals since the 1640s when it was a farm supplying bread to Woolsthorpe's villagers, The Chequers is all about destination dining in lovely Lincolnshire countryside - but you're also perfectly welcome to drop by for lunch and a pint after a ramble up to hilltop Belvoir Castle.

Expect sash windows, rugs, flaming fires, claret ceilings - keep exploring and you'll stumble on the Drawing Room, decked in wallpaper honouring local hero Sir Isaac Newton and perfect for a private knees-up. The sun-trap courtyard out front is bright with parasols in summer. There's also a pretty garden at the back, with lawns and a chicken coop housing Black Copper and Cuckoo Maran hens. The neighbouring cricket pitch also belongs to the inn - catch the the village cricket team play on summer Sundays.

Rooms from

Doubles: £70

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted
Parking available
Private and alfreso dining

Dog-friendly
You'll be hard pressed to find a more dog friendly pub - book a long communal table in the bar specially designated for dog owners.

Family favourite
Little ones are welcome throughout, and they have their own mini-menu. They'll love getting to know the friendly flock of chickens, too!

A touch of culture
You're less than a mile away from Belvoir Castle, a historic gem with beautiful gardens and woodland trails.

Rooms

The rooms at the Chequers sprawl across the original 17th-century farmhouse goes to waste here: the old stables next door have been converted into four gorgeous en-suite rooms, close to the dining room and the bar.

The loft suite is the plum choice - a vast refurbished space with sloping eaves, silver and fawn colours and its own immaculate wet room. There are three smaller doubles downstairs, all with king-size or super-king beds, shower rooms and vibrant patterned wallpaper. Save room for breakfast - the full English is legendary with eggs from the inn's own hens.

Restaurant & bar

Expect hearty mains, delectable sides and delicious desserts at The Chequers. The main challenge for diners is the chargrilled rib of beef for two, served on a groaning board with béarnaise sauce and all the trimmings - it's near-legendary round these parts. There's plenty of Derbyshire beef dishes on the menu, including pies, burgers and dripping on toasted brioche - a firm favourite. With a daily roster of impeccably put-together starters and mains to a nine-strong 'pub classics' menu, diners can choose from a wide selection. The dessert list comes with individually paired wine suggestions.

Four real ales including Lincolnshire's own Tom Wood's Best and brews from Wentworth Brewery in Rotherham, plus craft beers and lagers from some very surprising places indeed. The chalkboard cocktail menu is cosmopolitan and seasonal too, from perfect Manhattans to Bakewell Tart Martinis.

Things to do

Lincolnshire is a great county for walking, with wide-open spaces and big skies. The county has over 2,500 miles of public rights of way, so there's plenty of opportunity to explore and the area around Woolsthorpe by Belvoir is rural, with plenty of quiet, unspoilt countryside, as well as pretty villages and lovely churches. For something more challenging, try the long-distance Viking Way path, which starts on the banks of the Humber in the north and winds its way through Lincolnshire to finish on the shores of Rutland Water.

There's plenty of activities taking place all year round in this part of the world. Equestrian enthusiasts shouldn't miss the Lincolnshire Horse Trials which take place every march, followed by the Shire Horse Society's annual show. The Nottinghamshire County Show in May features livestock competitions, dog agility displays and show jumping. The Gate to Southwell Folk Festival also takes place in May and consists of four days and nights of international roots and acoustic music, and come August, medieval re-enactors take over Sherwood Forest Country Park for the Robin Hood Festival, which has been going for more than 30 years and well worth the trip.

Getting here

Directions

Nearest train station: Grantham
Taxi from station: 16min
Drive: 42min from Nottingham, 50min from Mansfield

Address

50 Main Street, Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, Lincolnshire NG32 1LU

The Chequers Inn