The Queens Head Inn, Hinckley

A really nice traditional pub. There are some photos of the original Queens Head that stood on this site - a thatched cottage, which was replaced by the current building in the 1890s. The tiled entrance hall gives way to carpeted rooms on either side, though the walls and doors have been replaced by high arches. The bar is on the left, and the corridor continues towards the back past a wood panelled "smoke room" and a small area for a pool table right at the back before you reach the toilets. There are three hand pumps, of which two had ales on: Bass and Adnams Broadside. I had the Bass, which was in good condition. A small blackboard next to the pumps lists the beers in the cellar, with crossings-out indicating the ones you've just missed. There's a lovely fireplace in the room to the right, with a huge mirror above it. Leather upholstered benches line the walls, plus the usual pub tables and stools and the occasional arm chair. Several TVs were showing the Saturday afternoon racing when I was there. The landlord was friendly and welcoming and there was a good atmosphere.

Lovely Free House. New landlady and landlord with a passion to sell real ale. Constantly changing real ales on three hand pumps.