The Jolly Brewer, Stamford

Still a well supported local's pub. The main features for me was the 1930s brick built fireplace and the herringbone design board flooring in the front lounge along with dartboard and pool table in the back room. Five handpumps with three beers on, serving Oakham JHB, Brewster's Decadance and Bombardier. A first for me was that the prices per pint were displayed on the pump clips. The beer was in good shape and served from the presumed landlord, who didn't particularly like to engage in much conversation or interact with the customers.

Official site of The Jolly Brewer - thejollybrewer.com

Official site of The Jolly Brewer - thejollybrewer.com

Splendid and well-used locals' pub at edge of town centre, notable for its extensive beer range, including samples from its own Bakers Dozen brewery. One of the few remaining pubs where Push Penny is played - a local variant of Shove Ha'penny.

This is an open plan single room pub that suffers from having too many TV screens that seem to be everywhere. There is also a dart board and a pool table that was covered. The bar has six hand pumps and another one with a cider. Beers available were Oakham JHB & Mompesson's Gold, Brewster's Marquis, Three Blind Mice Lonely Snake, Tres Bien Admiral's Special and one that I couldn't see. I went for the Mompesson's Gold (£3.35) which was in good nick. It's a shame about the TV screens as otherwise this seems to be a decent pub.

A very good, proper pub, located slightly away from the town centre but worth the short walk to get there. Friendly bar staff, a real fire, dart board and a pool table. Long wood panelled bar with hundreds of beer mats on the wall behind. Several TV's dotted around the place, all showing sports fixtures. This is my only criticism really, I'm not sure there's any need for quite so many - especially the one right at the end of the bar. At least the volume was very low, or even off in some cases. Good choice of beers on tap, with four of the pumps proudly sporting Camra's LocAle logo. They were Doom Bar (that's obviously the one that wasn't local), JHB, Piston Bob, Winter Session Ale and Barn Ale, Ciders were Strongbow (unfortunately) and Weston's Old Rosie.