Cross Keys, Epperstone

The Cross Keys. the only pub in Epperstone, newly re-opened by a former chef to Her Majesty the Queen, no less. The whole pub looks fantastic inside and out, getting the balance between traditional village boozer and classy gastro pub just right. The welcome was warm. It doesn't alienate drinkers; the Caythorpe ale we tried was fantastic. But I do fancy trying the simple but quality looking menu.

Duke of St Albans

An eighties design, this is the last remaining pub of the Rise Park / Top Valley area. It is smart and open plan with a jukebox and plenty of regulars and a "street food" menu. No real ale but happy to have been.

Tally Ho

One of a dying breed. A massive 60's estate pub with a huge car park and big welcome. No real ale on when we went but a handful of regulars on a Sunday afternoon. This pub represents lots of similar pubs that have long since been flattened such as the Maid Marion, Arnold and the Cherry Tree, Calverton. Happy to have been here and long may it thrive.

UPDATE : NOW RENAMED THE BAKERSFIELD - SEE SEPARATE ENTRY

Vat and Fiddle

Finally made it back to the Castle Rock brewery tap. It's been over 10 years since I filmed at the brewery for Central News and good to be back. First thing, it's a real pub. Unlike a lot of Castle Rock pubs. The building is traditional. I mean old. So it has character. And heritage. And it's not been spoilt by modernisation. Beer is world class, obviously. Food served. Let me eat at the bar. Could be my new favourite pub. And almost the last one in the Meadows too.

The Causeway

A small but smart looking drinkers pub in Sherwood. Been through a series of name and management changes the latest landlady has been here 3 weeks and is leaving in two. Not a happy tenure. Blighted by drug dealing the place needs and had had a rebirth but making it profitable might prove tough. Although Sherwood enjoys 5 pubs so perhaps the right tenant can make it work. No real ale but good super chilled Heineken.

Fat Cat

The newly opened Fat Cat in Sherwood. Formerly The Chestnut Tree. This is a very welcoming venue with smart decor, great looking food and cracking real ale. In the words of the management they've 'sold a lot of ale this week'. Somewhere you'd take the wife or girlfriend and also has great beer.

UPDATE MARCH 2019 : CLOSED AND REOPENING AS A PAKISTANI RESTAURANT

Bentinck Hotel

A genuine surprise. I thought that this old dirty football pub / "hotel" had finally closed to become a Starbucks. And it had. But what I didn't know was that the hotel and bar had been refurbished and continued to welcome drinkers and travellers upstairs. Including a real ale bar overlooking the new Nottingham station. Smart and apparently not a bad hotel either. A good little find that sort of made my day.