Chesterfield's Pub of the Year (The Boythorpe Inn)

Member Name: grahamt

Product:	The Boythorpe Inn
Date:	25/08/01 (88 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great beer, Superb food, Excellent surroundings

Disadvantages: Snmoking throughout

First of all, just to clarify, I have no idea why Dooyoo have put this in the Hotels category. It's a Pub. However...

I'm a regular visitor to Chesterfield; we have a major customer there. If you know Chesterfield you'll probably guess who that is. It's quite a distance from Surrey, where I live, and so a visit is usually a whole day event.

That means, come midday I'm looking for somewhere to eat. That also means that the odd pint (not ...or two; I'm driving) is not out of the question.

The Boythorpe Inn is, as you would expect, on Boythorpe Road. You will find it just off the roundabout on the A619 if you follow the signs for the Queens Park Sports Centre. The pub is just beyond on the right-hand side of the road.

This is a Hardys and Hansons pub; the brewery is based in Nottingham. You will see their Kimberley Ales sign as you enter the pub. Also next to the door you will see the Casque Mark sign, awarded only to those pubs that consistently demonstrate their ability to serve beers in the very best condition.

Sadly you will also see a sign that confirms that smoking is permitted throughout.

The pub is in keeping with the character of the area. Inside it is quite large, with a raised area to the right of the entrance where you can watch sport on TV if you choose. The standard of decoration is good.

The ventilation is not particularly good. If you are a non-smoker, as I am, you can expect little relief from the stench of cigarette smoke when the pub is crowded and as there are no designated smoking areas it only takes a few addicts to foul the entire atmosphere.

This pub was the local "Pub of the Year" and carries a banner outside trumpeting this success. You can see it as you enter the large car park situated to the right of the pub. From here there is also an entrance onto the Bowling Green at the rear.

There is wheelchair access to the
pub and its facilities. There is also a family room for customers with children. There is also an outdoor drinking area.

There is a good range of beers from the Kimberley list. My own favourite is their Best Bitter. They also have a guest beer. The choice changes regularly. They serve their beer in line glasses so do not expect the glass to be filled to the top.

What sets this pub apart though is the quality of its food. An extensive menu contains all of the usual dishes that you would expect. What is delivered is an abundant quantity of top class tucker.

My own favourite is their sausage, chips and beans. The sausages are probably the best I have ever tasted in a pub, spicy, tasty whoppers, three on my plate. Real chips, not those weedy little sticks that you get at most places.

So, an enjoyable establishment serving good beer and excellent food. It would earn a clear five stars from me but for the smoking policy. Nevertheless, I shall return.

Summary: