ASHBY - DE - LA - ZOUCH.

This pub is part of the Shardlow Brewery estate. From the outside it has the appearance of an ordinary boozer giving little away of the ale delights inside. On a tight/fast bend this pub has a car park on its left side, though it is a sharp turn into the entrance. The car park also doubles up as the tarmac beer garden and there are some plastic tables and chairs. Inside you are welcomed into a small-ish room with the bar on the left. Here you will find at least three-four Shardlow beers on at any time. All are well kept and served without sparkler for your enjoyment. Seating here is at round tables in the main and there is a strange round 'pool' table at the back of the room. The opposite side of the pub is taken up with a restaurant that serves bistro type food. This is keenly priced, well served and tasty and well worth trying. Food is served at both lunchtimes and evening, with evenings having extra options. The Ashby Court also does the annual beer festivals held by Shardlow, stocking up to 30 ales in the car park - which doesn't accommodate cars during the festival. At the top of town, if you hit the high street, you keep on going out up the hill and you cant miss it, this pub is well worth the stop off from the motorway or from the drive. Access for the disabled is up a small step, but there are no toilet facilities. There are plenty of attractions in the countryside around about and this is the best place for lunch. There is accommodation here all en-suite with shower and toilet, prices vary so call first. Also try their sister pub The Blue Bell Inn, 53 Church Street, Melbourne, Derbyshire, DE73 1EJ. (01332) 865764.