The Nags Head, Milton Keynes

Facebook page of The Nags Head - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Nags Head - thenagsheadmk.co.uk

Facebook page of The Nags Head - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Nags Head - thenagsheadmk.co.uk

An attractive whitewashed stone pub with a thatched roof in what Great Linford rather euphemistically calls it’s High Street (the only other amenity there appeared to be an infant’s school). The pub consists of a lounge bar off to the right, and a public bar to the left. The lounge bar is a very cosy, traditional country pub bar room with a low ceiling and plenty of black beams, a large brick fire-place at the back that housed a wood burning stove and had a couple of leather armchairs in front of it and there were plenty of copper pots and pans hanging around. Decor wise, there was a carpeted floor with dark wood panelling on the lower part of the walls, and red flock wallpaper above. A fish tank sat in an alcove with a very large orange fish in it. This was predominantly occupied by diners on a recent Tuesday evening visit, but this certainly isn’t a pub where food dominates. The public bar to the left is a slightly more basic affair but still looked pleasant enough. There were two plasma’s showing a football match, plus another at the other end that was not in use. There were several fruit machines, a darts board and several trophy cabinets suggesting that the pub teams enjoy some degree of success. A friendly pub dog was also wandering round in here. The food menu was extensive and offered a good selection of “pub grub” dishes such as ham, egg & chips, Chilli con carne, lasagne, pie of the day, fish & chips, curry, etc. Most of the mains were around the £6.50 mark which seemed very reasonable and I enjoyed my salmon fillet with a lemon butter sauce that was chosen from the small specials board. There were a good choice of beers on tap with Adnam’s Broadside, Doom Bar, Timothy Taylor Landlord, London Pride, Greene King IPA and their own Nag’s Head Ale. On the downside, the only cider on tap was Strongbow, unfortunately.

An attractive white thatched building nicely situated next to a well tended park and the Grand Union canal. The lounge area is given over to diners and is small and cosy with the bar area being lighter and with two television screens, one showing news and one sport, as well as lots of sporting advertising, pictures, bunting etc. Beer was Nags Head from Joshua Tetley of Northampton, Doom Bar, Pride, Black Sheep and Adnams Broadside with the pumps split between bar and lounge so check both for the full range. Both the Nags Head and Pride were well kept. Food is standard pub fare with a small specials board but well priced and freshly cooked from my own experience. The whole is pleasant and friendly and it's a safe bet for a decent pint.

An interesting old building with a steep thatched roof with two very distinct bars.The entrance from the car park leads to an L shaped lounge with small tables set for diners.The lounge decor is traditional but the internal space is not large ,and this area was largely full with people eating on my visit.There is a corridor with a side entrance and access to the public bar which is more the place to base yourself if you just want a beer or two.This public bar has a small serving counter but has three handpumps with different beer from the two in the lounge.There is a central chimney with a wood burner which divides the public bar into two sections,with a flat screen showing sport,fruit machine and quiz machine while to the rear is a darts board.There is a strong sports theme in here ,and a good bunch of regulars with a range of regional accents reflecting how MK has attracted folk from around the country as it has grown into a City. The cask marque accreditation was full deserved and I enjoyed the Nags Head house beer brewed by Joshua Tetley at Northampton according to the pump clip and very reasonable at £2.55 the pint.The London Pride was in equally good nick.The food offering was pub grub staples and again my jacket potato and chilli was well cooked and very reasonable at £3.50. I enjoyed my visit,the welcome from behind the bar was genuine and the beer well kept,and it is good to see a traditional public bar serving as a hub for the diverse community.I would say this is the best pub in the vicinity and I will call again when next in the area. It is a short walk from the offside moorings on the Grand Union ,with a pleasant stroll through parkland , past some impressive stone built houses.