New Plough Inn, Hinckley

A surprisingly high-ceilinged and mildly jumbly place over a couple of rooms with a heavy blush red and cream colour scheme alongside fabric banquettes. Lots of charity fundraising pictures are displayed on a high shelf and some framed rugby shirts on the walls. Eight cask by the looks if it, a load of Castle Rock (I think) on one side of the bar and a somewhat dull pair of Pedi and Directors on the other, though sandwiched between them was Shippos Mild which I plumped for and enjoyed. The local CAMRAs gave this one Pub of the Year for 2025 and also the three years prior which, given the competition elsewhere in town, feels slightly iffy. Anyway, it’s very good and another must-visit in this good little pub town.

Run by the same landlady as the Greyhound just around the corner and with both pubs featuring in the Good Beer Guide, I found the Greyhound to be marginally the better of the two. The main bar area is split into two, but feels quite cosy. With all tables taken, we were pointed in the direction of an overspill area off to the left-hand side where there was plenty more seating. This area contained a dartboard and also a Northants skittles table. Both dogs and children are allowed into the pub. The bar itself is fairly impressive. Of particular note were 4 massive teapots on the top of the bar, 2 in the shape of elephants. As with the Greyhound, the regular beers are Marston's Pedigree & Courage Directors. Tetley's Cask is also a regular beer here. Guest were all from the Goff's Brewery, suggesting that they had recently had a tap takeover - Cheltenham Gold, White Knight, Silent Knight, Jester Brew 20 Raspberry Stout & Jester Brew 32 Gingerbread Stout. I chose the Gingerbread Stout, but disappointingly ended up with the fag end of the barrel. Ciders listed were Lilley's Mango Cider & Bee Sting Perry, Weston's Rosie's Pig Tropical & Thatcher's Stan's Big Apple & Cheddar Valley. Keg ciders from Thatcher's were their Dark Berry, Cloudy Lemon & Blood Orange varieties. The New Plough is certainly worth a visit if in Hinckley. Perhaps I was unlucky with my choice of beer, or perhaps they are trying to stock too big a range.

Appealing Marston's pub, just enticing you to take a look inside. Thankfully, this doesn't disappoint, having a pleasingly traditional interior abounding with sport-themed memorabilia. Although partly opened-out, at least four separate areas can still be discerned: a small counter opposite the entrance that was probably an off-sales point originally, a comfortable lounge to the right, the main bar to the left and a pool room beyond that. With a total of eight handpumps, I found Pedigree, Saddle Tank and the seasonal Sweet Chariot (£3.50) available, with Courage Directors and Lancaster Bomber coming next.