The Queens Head Inn, Hinckley

Very attractive old pub, perhaps altered to some extent but retaining plenty of charm in the multi-room layout. The main bar at the front lies to the left of the entrance corridor, with a smaller lounge on the other side and two further seating / dining areas further back behind the servery. Plenty of interesting features remain, complemented by various items of breweriana and local history photographs. Three of four handpumps in use, dispensing the regular Bass plus Elsie Mo from Castle Rock and Oakham's Mandarina Bavaria. Theakston's Smooth Dark also noted among the various keg options.

This one was a big disappointment for me after some glowing reviews below and being highly recommended by CAMRA. It's an old building but it's all been knocked through, hardly original. There is a bar area as you enter with another area to the right and two further areas behind the bar. I didn't see a pool table. I got here just after midday on a Saturday so it was quiet. Their was a radio playing Smooth Radio which was just as stomach churning as the John Smith's Smooth crap that it may or may not be named after. The four hand pumps had a boring mainstream choice of London Pride, St Austell Tribute, Bass and Castle Rock Harvest Pale. Nothing Locale and nothing of interest. I went for the Castle Rock beer which was in good nick but even with the 20p CAMRA discount came to £3.30 which is considerably dearer than most of their own houses. CAMRA on What Pub claim that this is a 15 minute walk from the Railway Station. Did Mo Farah write that bit? I got a bus the couple of stops from the JDW which may well be fifteen minutes from the station. I wouldn't return here but give it a lenient 6.