The Boat Inn, Melton Mowbray

Smaller than it looks from the outside, it’s a thin L shape with the majority of the pub being to the left, an open snug area to the right. The main bar is certainly a traditional, comfortable pub with Gaskill & Chambers banquettes at cast iron base tables, a ceiling of thin fake beams and a quarry tile floor. The counter is a nice panelled job and supports four pulls, Taylors Landlord and Boltmaker (4 in old money, very good in the new system) plus Bass and a clip reversed on the fourth. Keg drinkers are satisfied with three dreary mock pilsners, Guinness and John Smiths, the cider is Thatchers Gold. Nice pubby decor of old bottles, old photos and some Oakham Canal related stuff which is why it is so named. There’s a dart board at the far end. Deservedly a GBG pub, handy for the station but opens from 4pm Monday to Friday, from noon on Saturdays and Sundays.