There's something about a roaring fire at a pub which gives it a warm, welcoming atmosphere when you come in from the cold. It might be creeping towards spring but it's still quite chilly out there.
So why not cosy up by the fireside at one of these Nottinghamshire pubs, in rural locations and villages. They just happen to serve some top class food as well.
Watch the hypnotic flames and warm your cockles while sinking a big bold red or warming whisky and you're winning.
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The Royal Oak
The country inn, believed to have once been a hosiery factory, is in a building dating back more than 200 years in Car Colston. It sits on England's largest village green, a sprawling 29 acres in total.
There's a cosy fire in the bar which serves decent ales, quite rightfully earning it a place in the 2023 Good Beer Guide. Pedigree, Hobgoblin Gold and Wainwright are on tap.
Food, much of it locally sourced, is served in the restaurant area at lunchtimes and evenings. Steak, fish and chips, lasagne and chicken topped with landlady Vicky's "famous" creamy blue Stilton sauce are on the menu.
It wouldn't be an old property without a ghost story. In this case it's a Roman Centurion who is said to roam the building.
Address: Tenman Lane, Car Colston, NG13 8JE
The Reindeer
The rural retreat in Hoveringham has recently been given a new lease of life with the arrival of top London chef Michael Carr. Visitors are in for a real treat with first-class food. Traditional pub grub is taken to another level, be that pies (Monday night is pie night with a special deal), a lunchtime cob with beef, hot mustard emulsion or gravy or a dessert of spiced caramel tart and torched bananas.
The pub, which overlooks the village cricket pitch, has been given a makeover, making it lighter, brighter and more contemporary. The best seats in the pub? A table for two overlooking the green, or arguably the seats by the fireside.
Address: Main Street, Hoveringham, NG14 7JR
Queen's Hotel
The recipient of several CAMRA awards, this village pub in East Markham knows how to look after its beer. Six real ales are pulled in the lounge and the pub has a dining area serving proper home-cooked food.
Customers say the food is "fantastic" and there's a warm welcome from the landlord and landlady as well as the open fire that's also a pleasing sight in winter.
One satisfied diner said: "The food was delicious and my father-in-law's fish and chips looked like a whale and chips, it was massive. You could tell it was all home cooked food with care and attention to detail. All very reasonably priced."
Address: High Street East Markham, Newark, NG22 0RE
Four Bells Inn
After an unsettled period, the Four Bells Inn is back after a takeover by the Reunion Pub Company. The fire is burning once again at the Tudor-style pub which was actually built in 1927 to replace an earlier village inn.
Lunch is served from noon and on Sundays a traditional roast dinner is a must-have. Wednesday to Saturday sharing boards and hearty dishes such as pork belly, pies, chicken katsu curry and fish and chips make up the evening menu. A quiz takes place on Monday nights at 7.30pm. The pub also runs a Baby Bells session with coffee and cake for a fiver and plenty of toys for the little ones on Wednesdays from 1pm to 3pm.
Address: Main Street, Woodborough, Nottingham, NG14 6EA
The White Horse Inn
The Ruddington pub has the vibe of a modern country inn, especially since recently launching a farm shop with fresh fruit and veg, meat and deli on-site.
The cosy fireside in the bar is just the spot for a pint of Thornbridge Gold of Pardal lager. Feeling peckish? Plump for one of the pub's "amazing" homemade sausage rolls or mouth-watering cakes.
The pub, which is open Wednesday to Sunday, has just introduced brunch on top of a set menu for February with two courses for £13 or three for £16. Chefs rustle up comfort food at its best - including crispy brie, beef bourguignon and sticky toffee pudding. Sunday roasts are another speciality.
Address: Church Street, Ruddington, NG11 6HD
The Railway
It's not just villagers who descend on this destination gastro pub. Top-class food is given a refined twist by talented chefs, who can be seen in action in the open kitchen.
Steak night is every Thursday, Sunday is the day for roasts or alternatively the main menu features an array of tempting dishes such as black pudding pie with fig brown sauce, or pan fried cod with shellfish sauce and crab cake. Finish with desserts of millionarie's chocolate tart with miso caramel and pineapple and passionfruit pavlova with spiced rum cream.
The award-winning rustic inn with low ceilings and wooden floors excels when it comes to staff giving a warm welcome. In winter it's even warmer thanks to the roaring fire in the bar, perfect for getting cosy with a big glass of red or one of the five cask ales.
Address: Station Road, Lowdham, NG14 7DU
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