Exeter Arms

Situated in the heart of pretty Barrowden, overlooking the village green, duck pond and open countryside, this 17th-century is a cracking country pub and boasts a vast garden with a pétanque court for lazy summer days. The attractive stone building has seen many roles in its long life, including a smithy, a dairy and a postal collection point. Landlord Martin Allsopp brews ales such as Beech, Bevin, Hop Gear and Attitude Two in the on-site micro-brewery, and also offers a range of ten wines by the glass. Expect a nice traditional feel to the spacious bar and an informal atmosphere for enjoying some good pub food. At lunchtime, tuck into hot beef and horseradish mayonnaise sandwiches, or heartier appetites will find steak and ale pie with hand-cut chips, and smoked haddock with spring onion mash and a pea and herb cream sauce. A typical dinner could begin with chicken liver pâté, followed by roast pork belly with apple compôte.