The Little Plough, Doncaster

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

3 Real Ales available with one from Acorn and 2 guest ales. Known locally as the (Little) Plough.

This welcoming town centre local's pub looks fairly unassuming from the outside but the pub does have the distinction of being on the CAMRA inventory of unspoilt interiors. The plans for the last major alteration in 1934 can be seen in the corridor between the 2 bars and show what is now the main bar divided into a “Dram Shop” and “Kitchen” whilst the rear “Smoke Room” appears to have been left virtually untouched. Evidence of the main bar's division can be seen by the presence of 2 pretty tiled fireplaces and despite the expansion, it still has a cosy, intimate, old fashioned feel to it. A collection of bottles winds its way around the top shelves and an old Donny Rovers picture tells you where the local's loyalties lie. The 2 TV's are pretty basic affairs rather than the fancy mod con flat screens that you now take for granted. Note also the unusual tables. The rear smoke room centres on a tiled coal fireplace and the room has some fine coloured glass windows as well as the original call bells and a service hatch. Collectables include plates, an old radio, and some fancy teapots. A small courtyard keeps the smokers happy and also leads to the gents which you almost expect to be open air! 3 Ales on offer - Acorn Yorkshire Pride & Barnsley Bitter (both £2 a pint) and Bass (£2.40), the Yorkshire Pride being the pick of the bunch for me. The local's were very friendly and welcoming with a bit of football banter after they “threatened” not to serve me in my Spurs shirt! A terrific little pub that is part of a dying breed in town centres.