The Horse Shoes - Melton

The Horse Shoes, Ashfordby is quite different from most of the pubs I have reviewed in that it is what was always called a local , but is now popularly referred to as a community pub . It is neither posh nor trendy, but I don 't think that should put you off. I think that The Horse Shoes has something going for it, so it is perhaps worthwhile reading on. The reason I was here is that The Horse Shoes is the only Leicestershire outpost for Bateman 's Good Honest Ales . Bateman 's brew in Wainfleet, Lincolnshire and have been brewing their fine ales since 1874. I thought it was a good opportunity to revisit their fine ales without a long journey into Lincolnshire. Ashfordby is a village probably best known for the Old Dalby Test Track which is a stretch of railway line where, in 1984, a Class 46 diesel locomotive was deliberately crashed into a nuclear flask to test the strength and integrity of the flask. This was done in an attempt to reassure the public that the transportation of nuclear materials by rail was safe. Ashfordby is also conveniently close to the market town of Melton Mowbray. The Horse Shoes has a large frontage and the Bateman 's red and gold signage makes the pub hard to miss. Once inside, a large solid looking wooden serving bar dominates. Although this is a single roomed pub it seems to naturally divide into two rooms. The larger room is more like a public bar, with a dart board and friendly locals choosing to stand and drink at the bar. The smaller room is furnished a little more comfortably and is probably seen as the lounge by most customers. This bar also has a darts board. There is clearly a strong sports following here and this explains an impressive skittle alley in a large back room. I was a little bit disappointed to only see Bateman 's XB on handpump as two Bateman 's beers, plus a guest were promised on the brewers website. However, there was Sharp 's Doom Bar available as the guest ale. The pint of Bateman 's XB that I ordered was in fine fettle though. While the cask beer was good, it wasn 't this that made this particular pub stand out. That honour goes to the food and specifically the pizza that is served Wednesday to Sunday from noon to late. Filled rolls, jacket potatoes and other hot food is also served. We ordered pizza though and it was very reasonable priced, nicely served and delicious. It would put many a popular pizza chain to shame! When you combine good cask ale with great pizza, served in a clean comfortable, pub and then include friendly staff and happy contented locals, you get somewhere that starts to look interesting. Add a small pub car park (additional free parking just a minutes ' walk away) and spotlessly clean toilets, then The Horse Shoes, despite being a basic pub, has to get a good review from me for doing the basics really well.

What a gem, a proper traditional pub, no frills, no fancies, just great beer and great hospitality, I wish more places like this existed. The landlady was welcoming, and her beer was spot on, sadly we only had time to stay for one drink, we will, however, be back.

Now closed. Great shame the brewery are not selling it as a going concern. It was a super village asset which is going to be missed by many.

Just popped in for a quick pint as was changing buses nice pint of Madri n a bonus of a cheese n onion cob,,,result defo go back again.....

Food was okay and the drinks were very expensive. Staff were quite rude at times. Had fun with the pool table.