The Crown Hotel, Stamford

This Hotel is part of the Knead Pubs group who own the Tobie Norris and the Paten & Co next door. The Hotel bar and dining area was nicely kitted out and very comfortable. The main features for me was the mosaic tiled floor entrance. There was a bike stuck on the wall for some bizarre reason. Also a pleasant patio garden out the back. Three handpumps serving St Austell's Tribute, TT Landlord and Oakham Citra.

Official site of The Crown Hotel - www.kneadpubs.co.uk

Official site of The Crown Hotel - www.kneadpubs.co.uk

The Crown Hotel is very much a dry led pub, which became obvious as I walked in around lunch time to be asked if I had booked by a friendly young lady who was standing behind a lectern at the entrance. After a brief exchange I was given access to the bar that faces said entrance. The three hand pumps were drawing St Austell’s Tribute, TT Landlord and Oakham’s Citra. Premium keg was also available alongside Carlsberg. The seating is in three areas which are to the right of the bar, from the bar to the front windows and up steps to the left in what looked like a formal dining area. Although there was no issue with me ordering a beer and standing at the bar I wouldn’t go in here just for a drink again.

This ‘hotel, restaurant and bar’, is a largeish establishment, well looked after and with a mix of high tables, low tables and banquette seating. It seemed to be one of the few places open for lunch in Stamford on Boxing Day, and was quite busy with a mixed clientele. There were three hand pulls on the bar, with Castle Rock Harvest Pale (very drinkable at £3.30/pint), Doombar and a reversed London Pride clip, and the menu pleasantly surprised us by offering sandwiches and bar snacks as well as a la carte meals: the ‘3 bar snacks for £10’ offer was good value for two to share. Service was welcoming and friendly but prone to error (x4: tea not turning up, chips not turning up, being overcharged, but then accidentally being refunded more than was due slightly compensated for the first three). We put this down to short staffing on the day, and would be happy to give it another go if in the area.