The Masons Arms, Doncaster

There's something about pubs in market squares. There are half a dozen in Doncaster's, though this is the only one we tried on our recent visit. We went in the public bar, which occupies the front part of the building. Service was a little off-hand, though the landlord noticed our interest in ales and handed me a copy of the local Camra newsletter, Donny Drinker. We had Timothy Taylor Landlord, which was a little lively and came with quite a large head despite being topped up. Others available were Old Speckled Hen and Tetleys Bitter, with one hand pump unused. There were a few other drinkers and one very large dog. Elvis was on the sound system. I didn't try the other pubs nearby on this occasion, so a further visit may be required to compare this with them, though as I said: there is something about market square pubs, so I may not bother.

Opposite the Corn Exchange in Doncaster’s Market Square is The Masons Arms, a small traditional locals pub. It’s still badged as a Tetleys pub and displays a plaque denoting it as a Tetley Heritage Inn. Etched glass windows, bearing the pub name give the outside an attractive look, which is only slightly marred by the chrome seats on the pavement outside at the front. Notably for a pub that proudly announces that it dates back to c 1700, it badges itself as a “Bar and Café”. Unusually, notices in the upstairs windows tell us that the pub is “For Sale – Ask Inside”, but surprisingly, no estate agents boards are evident anywhere on the exterior. The two buildings next to the pub are also advertised as being available to let and this clearly appears to be the quieter side of the Market Square. Inside the front door is a framed copy of the first deeds of the premises dated 1 May 1715. The front bar – The Tap Room – consists of a long bar counter, a boarded ceiling and fixed seating against the wall. This bar features a horse racing theme and there’s betting slips on the bar counter at the end. This is the unspoilt part of the pub and a poster is displayed telling us that the pub features in CAMRA’s new book of Yorkshire’s Real Heritage Pubs. The back room has a number of photos of old Doncaster, but the layout has obviously been altered – note the disused “Smoke Room “ door – and there’s a light pine coloured wooden floor which, I’m afraid looks badly out of place in an old pub like this. Another print in this part of the pub tells us that the pub accommodated troops during the 1799 Napoleonic War. Service to this room is via a hatch behind the counter in the Tap Room. In the stand up lobby are old handpumps mounted on the wall There’s 6 pumps and 4 beers were on during my early morning visit – Tetleys Bitter, TT Landlord, Speckled Hen and Thorne Brewery Comfort Stout. I do hope that this pub can keep going without being subject to any further unnecessary “improvements”.

This historic Market Tavern dates back to 1715 and enjoys a prominent position in the town centre. The small front bar has traditional old patterned windows, built in cushioned bench seats and a white tongue and groove paneled ceiling that gives the place a fresh feel. Barflies will be happy with the stools at the bar and the plasma screen seems to be geared to sport, in particular horse racing during the day. A small corridor leads to a larger rear bar and contains an interesting collection of deeds, maps and documents as well as a detailed history of the pub. As you enter the rear bar, there are 3 sets of the old hand pumps mounted on the wall, the oldest being the originals from 1715. The rear has been extended at some point and you can work out where the exterior walls once were however the “trick” windows are a clever touch. Artifacts include several old hand tools and there are plenty of old photos adorning the walls. At the end is a wood burning stove with a stockpile of logs ready for the forthcoming colder days. Beyond the toilets is an open air partly covered patio with a fake Banksy and a local potter who shares the courtyard. I was reliably informed that part of the wall was the original Roman City wall. On the beer front there were 4 available, Landlord, Black Sheep, Old Speckled Hen and Tetleys + a further 2 hand pumps not in use (I was told that Mordue IPA was about to be put on but whether this was in addition to or as a replacement for one of the other beers I am not sure). A list of current and upcoming beers is listed to one side. Service was friendly, the staff chatty and overall, a very enjoyable town centre pub that is certainly worthy of a visit.