Willoughby Arms, Alford

This is a detached Batman's corner pub with front patio and rear beer garden. It is what looks like a former coaching inn, being mainly in cream painted brick. The frontage has a porch and covered area and leaded windows. The front-facing gable end has a clipped roof. The interior has a main L-shaped room, with a small side area up a step. In the main room, the bar faces you on entry. The room is in red and cream walls, with a white and beam ceiling and a red carpet floor. The ceiling is supported by brick columns. At the one end there is a nice brick fireplace - which had aneeded and lit fire at our visit. Some nice general prints decorated the walls. There is a TV, but this was not on at our visit and the music was general and at a decent level. There is a dining room, which i couldn't see too well. It appeared to be in white and an olive green colour and is populated, as expected, by tables and chairs. Obviously they do food, but we didn't eat so con't comment on that. There is also a games room, with pool and darts, but i didnt see that at all. The service was very friendly and there were a group of locals in, also friendly. Beer; The usual tap stuff with Bateman's XB and Hooker on as a guest at £1.50. Sadly, the Hooker had turned, but i was offered the XB, which was decent, at the same price. The difference was put in the charity box! A really friendly place. A great experience. I would definitely return here - shame they didn't have the MILD on.

It's a lovely traditional pub with an open fire, cask ales as well as usual drinks, pool table and darts board in seperate room, generally comfortable feel. Kids and dogs welcome. Pub food served and Sunday Roast with homemade yorkshire puddings. Worth a look for tourists as well as Willoughby is the birtplace of John Smith, famous explorer of the New World who's life was saved by Pocahontus. The story was on a Disney film. See you in there for a pint.