The Hand & Heart, Millfield, Peterborough

Sound side-street pub with a plain but unspoilt bar at the front, a (temporarily disused?) Smoke Room at the back and a small off-sales counter in-between. The former is simply but tidily furnished, with the original 1938 light-wood counter, a dartboard above the fireplace at one end and (very unusually) a war memorial at the other. Five local(ish) real ales in various styles from small brewers, including 'Hooty, the Wise Bird' from Tydd Steam Brewery. Well worth the walk.

Less than impressed with the Hand & Heart. 6 of us turned up to drink beer, but got the distinct feeling that we were not welcome. After 2 minutes, a local slammed his laptop shut, downed his pint and stormed out!! No idea why? The beer was average, however, the fire was roaring and it was very warm. As with Real Ale Ray, we left and jumped on the No.1 to the Palmerston Arms.

Official site of The Hand & Heart - thehandandheart.com

Official site of The Hand & Heart - thehandandheart.com

can't give this cracking local a 10 because it doesn't do food, and sometimes you do need something warm. BUT: for the best kept beer in Peterborough, you need to find this real back street gem. The pub has a real small community, and it's not unusual to drink with local brewers, who come here to drink their own (and others) beer. Beers contantly rotating, there's not 'house ale' - hundreds of different ales are served every year. New website too: http://thehandandheart.com/