The Cumberland, Wheatley Hills, Doncaster

The Cumberland is a large roadside pub on the junction of two very busy main roads. It sits right next to Doncaster Royal Infirmary so gets a lot of trade from workers, patients and visitors. It is a Hungry Horse branded Greene King establishment. We were hungry after visiting the hospital and this was the nearest place so we stopped by for food. From what my dad has told be from his days in the 60’s the pub is nothing like what it used to be having been opened up to form one large open plan space like so many others. The decor is the usual cheap Greene King furnishings and the pub was very bright as I recall with large ceilings meaning it didn’t have a very quaint atmosphere. The long bar runs down the right-hand side as you enter and bends round into a slightly partitioned area at the back that was listed as a strictly over 18 area that is more of the designated drinkers area of the pub as with most HH pubs the lion’s share of the space is for diners. Food wise it is up there as one of the worst pub meal experiences I have ever had, I wasn’t expecting much but this was worse than I could have ever possibly imagined. I won’t ever be eating at hungry Horse again but of the two pump clips one was selling a well kept pint of Moonshine for £3.20 which redeemed things and punk IPA was also available as a backup if the cask options differ for the worse. The other ale was the usual GK IPA. Overall a pretty rubbish chain family eatery but there is a large beer garden at the front with lots of seats so could be a nice stop off in the summer if you’re at/near the hospital and want to sit in the sun, for foods don’t bother. If you catch the cask at the right time with something decent on it is at least drinkable.

Real Ale available