The Boat Inn, Melton Mowbray

The Boat is situated at the bottom end of Burton Street and is close to the railway station. When I'd entered my previous pub the Harboro' Hotel, I could swear that the exterior lights of the Boat were still on. However, when I left the other pub, they were off. I was fearing that they had closed. Luckily, there were still a few punters in. Although, they were preparing to leave. The landlord and landlady were both friendly enough and they were happy to chat. I think they were planning to close after I'd left. But just as I was departing, another group arrived. I was happy that I made it in time! With just one fairly small single room, the 3 real ales were Bass, Bombardier & Doom Bar.

My final pub in a quick tour of Melton, and necessarily brief as this and one other both open at 4 and my train was at 4.30. I received a friendly welcome as I walked in, and identified the accent as Scottish, the owner being a woman from Broughty Ferry though 30 years in these parts. The beers were what some would describe as "dull mainstream" (see photos), but my half of Adnams Southwold Bitter was in very good condition and I enjoyed my brief appearance here before skedaddling to the station. Apparently the pub sponsors some local sports teams, and this encourages their members to drink here, so everyone is happy! As described below, this is a very nice pub, well set up and fulfilling its role as a community pub. I'd be more than happy to call again if in these parts.

The Boat consists of a long narrow room with the bar on the right and a cosier seating area on the right as you enter as well described below. It was doing a good trade on my Saturday afternoon visit. There are just four hand pumps here which had a dull mainstream selection of Marston's Bass, Oakham JHB, Well's Bombardier and Adnam's Broadside. I went for the JHB (£3.30) which was in excellent nick. I was intending to stay for more than one here but after seeing the depressing choice of beers I necked the JHB down and went to get a train to Peterborough and hour earlier than planned. Despite that it seemed a decent local's boozer.

We phoned ahead to check whether we could eat our locally purchased pie here & the guv said no prob, although when we arrived he did admit to having thought we were on a wind-up! Small pub, nicely furnished with surround settles at the front, plasma & dartboard to the rear. Look out for the bank of four interesting handpumps (decorative) opposite the bar – unfortunately the bar itself offered only IPA, Abbot & Bombardier, but the latter was in fine fettle. And the Thompson pies were splendid with local pickles & mustard.