The Hopfields, Hatfield

Quite an attractive McMullen's estate pub, with hanging flower baskets by the front patio beer garden. Retains its original two-bar interior, with the lounge / dining area to the right and a smaller public bar (with pool table) to the left. AK, Country and the seasonal They Think it's Ale Over (£3.90) available from the seven handpumps divided between the two counters. As a passing note, my visit was punctuated by a 'dust devil' / mini-tornado that sent all the table umbrellas spiralling up in the air then crashing down again in a very alarming way for about 30 seconds.

Hopfields pages at the McMullens site - www.mcmullens.co.uk

Hopfields pages at the McMullens site - www.mcmullens.co.uk

This is a McMullens pub with a public bar housing some boisterous locals, a couple of plasma screens with Sky Sports available and a dartboard. A muted county cricket match was being shown on my visit whilst Magic FM was being piped through the speakers, ads and all. The lounge bar was much quieter with some families dining and I did spot another plasma screen showing the muted cricket again, but it was almost too small to mention. AK and Cask Ale were both available alongside a standard draught selection and I found the staff to be very friendly, but I wouldn't go out of my way to drink here again.