HARPENDEN.

The Plough & Harrow (88 Southdown Road, Harpenden,Herts, AL5 1PR) (01582) 715844 Email: plough@villagepubs.co.uk. This lively pub is located behind the Common in the sleepy and unspoilt village of South Down, on the edge of Harpenden in Hertfordshire. A large attractive pub with an extremely friendly atmosphere, the Plough and Harrow attracts cross section of customers from age 8 to 80 who participate in a wide range of activities and events. There is a profusion of hanging baskets on the front of the old-fashioned building and a huge garden in the back with picnic tables and patio area in which children and dogs are most welcome. This is the only pub in Hertfordshire to have Budweiser on draft; real ales include Directors and Yorkshire Bitter, plus rotating guest ales such as Dogs Bollocks, Speckled Hen and Abbotts Ale. The Plough and Harrow feature an extensive range of bottled beers and New World wines. This is a pub in which to have a good time, thanks to Grant, the 30-something publican who endeavours to remember everyone's' name and who delights in providing an enticing schedule of activities and events. In the summer, barbecues are held every Saturday and Sunday evening (and Bank Holidays) featuring a variety of delicious sausages created by the local butcher, as well as gilled Cajun port, lamb kabobs and spicy chicken. There is an excellent variation of live music which includes "soul" on Wednesday evenings, as well as karioke, disco and the world's best George Michael impersonator. There is a special area set aside for darts, as the pub has its own league team, and there are large screen TV's for the pub's rugby, football and cricket fans. During Wimbledon, Pimms cup and strawberries with cream are served.