HALLATON.

This is a nice pub in a very nice village not far from Market Harborough. Dating back a long way the thatched roof frontage gives way to a long pub rather than a wide one. You can enter from the front or the car park at the side (there is also a tea shop here for cream teas and souvenirs).  The outside is very olde worlde and adds to its charm. The inside has two distinct areas. The front of the pub is the original with two bar areas, though the main bar is to the left of the entrance. The room to the right has a large dark round tables and a couple of smaller square ones, all have a mixture of bench seats and chairs. The window seat of the large table is particularly nice if there are a group of you. This is also the games room and there are some piled up behind the door. The main bar to the left has up to three hand pumps with guest ales on, usually with at least one local ale - be careful about asking for the sparkler off as they just laughed at my partner and ignored them. The seating here is at old kitchen-type tables with straight back wooden chairs. A real fire at the rear of the room can get smokey sometimes and make the room unbearable, but this doesn't happen often. A chalk board menu is here also. To get to the main body of the pub you pass the bar and round to the right is more comfortable seating - sofas, before you turn down the stairs (access to the low level is also available from the car park) to the rest of the eating areas. These areas are nooks and crannies and the low beamed ceilings add to the atmosphere of intimacy. Be warned the toilets are also down (steps) here and so access for the disabled from the high level is not possible. The food choice is varied and caters for all tastes including vegetarian. Prices range from £7.95 - £15 for a main course and is well presented and cooked. All food is made to order and so a wait is sometimes possible. However, the main course I had was microwaved or at the very least kept hot under a grill and so had congealed rather too much for my liking. Despite this, I would recommend visiting for the ale and the atmosphere and the food. A beer garden for the summer, but no accommodation here. Children welcome.

	Symbols:		Open:	Monday-Saturday:	Sunday:	Map	Pics
				12-3, 6-11	12-3; 7-10.30	View