The Little Plough, Doncaster

This is a satisfyingly traditional two room pub close to Doncaster’s rail and bus stations. The layout comprises a small bar room at the front, a narrow lounge to the rear and a connecting corridor along the right hand side of the building. The interior has apparently remained virtually unchanged since the last alterations were made back in 1934. The carpeted bar public bar has comfortable banquette seating and some unusual tables with storage compartments built into them. Two smart tiled fireplaces on the left hand wall hint at a previous room layout whilst the leaded glasswork and lovely bar counter are testament to the pub’s heritage. Beer bottles are on display on a high shelf behind the bar and various bits of brewerania can be spotted throughout whilst the walls are decorated with a number of ploughing related photos and pictures. A TV was on in one corner with the sound turned down very low whilst music played over the top. A dartboard is hung in an odd corner position which means you would have to throw diagonally across the room if you wanted to use it. I didn’t get a good look in the lounge bar, but from my brief glimpse it seemed like a smart carpeted room with banquette seating and another nice fireplace. There is a small, scruffy courtyard out the back leading to the outdoor toilets which, for the gents at least, comprises a wall to pee against and not much else – the Philharmonic it ain’t. There are three handpulls which were dispensing York Terrier (£2.70), Moorhouse Pride of Pendle and Acorn Barnsley Bitter. I gave the Terrier a try and thought it was in excellent condition and I would have gladly stopped for another pint had my train home not been due to depart. The locals seemed like a friendly bunch and were happy to chat away with whoever came through the door. I only stopped off here for a quick pint whilst waiting for my connecting train, but I’m glad I did as I thought it was a really nice, welcoming traditional pub that you don’t always find in town centres. There are a few other pubs I’m keen to visit in Doncaster, but I would be happy to drop one of them in order to revisit this place the next time I’m in town.

Conveniently close to Doncaster’s main railway station and the Frenchgate shopping mall is The Plough ( or The Little Plough as it seems to be known ), one of only 3 South Yorkshire pubs to be listed in CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. The pub dates back to 1934. “A traditional pub with traditional values” is how it sells itself in the local CAMRA branch magazine. A rather uninspiring looking exterior tells us that the pub used to belong to Bass Yor shire ( the “k” has disappeared ) and leads into a traditional and welcoming 2 bar interior. At the front, the public bar is basic, rather brightly lit, and is clearly the favoured spot of the locals. Perhaps inevitably, there’s a horse racing theme together with a dartboard and a fine trophy collection. At the back, accessed via a short corridor, is the lounge bar – a cosy, comfortable and carpeted room which is served from the main bar via a hatch. The lounge bar is decorated with a series of old ploughing pictures and a series of plates on a high shelf. Original bell pushes are still in situ as is the fixed seating round the walls. Attractive coloured leaded windows are a further notable feature. This bar appears to be favoured by weary elderly shoppers taking a well earned rest from the hustle and bustle of the shopping centre. On my recent visit, several of these customers were complaining in a none too subtle manner about the lack of heating – all to no avail as the fire remained steadfastly unlit. There’s the predictable outside toilets, accessed through a small courtyard. From the real ale perspective, the pub has recently been voted Doncaster Pub of the Season and was advertising a 3 day beer festival from 7-9 April. It’s been a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular in recent years. Beers on were Acorn Barnsley Bitter - £ 2.10p and in fine form – plus Beartown Ginger Bear and Wadworth’s St Georges. This is a fine unpretentious pub and you should look this one out when in Donny