Typical bank holidays for people who don't go to the seaside often involve a a trip to the pub instead. Why spend the day gardening or doing DIY when you can be meeting up with friends and family over lunch and a few drinks?
There's always your tried and tested local but you could use the time exploring some of the other noteworthy public houses around Nottinghamshire - and there seems to be one part of the county which really excels when it comes to great beer and fabulous pub grub.
We checked out the top five on TripAdvisor - and while you might take the ratings on the review site with a pinch of salt, it does throw up pubs you might never have heard of before.
1. The Durham Ox
The village of Orston has a population of less than 500, two churches and one traditional country pub, which is popular with locals, walkers and motorists just passing through. Located in the Vale of Belvoir, it boasts an attractive beer garden that will be packed if the weather is good over the extended bank holiday weekend. Even if it's not there are four wooden gazebos with heating for shelter.
The cosy pub is both child and dog-friendly so there's no excuse for not taking the whole family. Local and guest cask ales are served alongside a menu of home-cooked pub classics of fish and chips, burgers, lasagne and chilli con carne. It's worth a mention that the chips are cooked in beef dripping - good news for flavour fans, not so good for vegetarians.
It also serves a mean Sunday roast, while the bar menu offers bacon, egg and sausage cobs, jacket potatoes and ciabattas. Quirky touches at the pub include hooks on the front wall where visitors can tie up their ferrets.
You say : "Fabulous meal and excellent value for money. A special mention for the fish and chips which is probably one of the best ones we’ve ever had in a pub."
"What a gem of a pub - very friendly staff, really good food and a great atmosphere."
Location: Church Street, Orston, Nottingham NG13 9NS
2. The Castle
The Castle is slap bang in Nottingham city centre and easily reachable by tram, train or bus. Overlooking Nottingham Castle, there's a touristy buzz around the red-brick pub, especially when sitting outside in the sun.
Designed with the unique style of Watson Fothergill in 1883, it's an attractive setting for a pint, with eight lines of craft beer from rotating local, national or international brewers, or one of the many varieties of gin.
A menu of home-cooked pub classics is served. The menu isn't huge, but what they do is done extremely well. Choose from pizzas, burgers, fish and chips, nachos and flatbreads and Sunday's are roast time.
You say: "We went for drinks and had a great time, very good cocktails and a good selection of ales. The bar staff are helpful and friendly."
"Service with a smile. Good range of beers. Very good food at decent prices. Good location next to the castle. A good old-fashioned proper boozer."
Location: 1 Castle Rd, Nottingham NG1 6AA
3. The Duke William
Third in the county and number one in Askham. Where's Askham you may well ask? It's a village not far from Retford in Bassetlaw, north Notts, with an even smaller population than Orston.
However, it does have a small country inn, full of character and charm, with a snug for a pint of real ale and two small dining areas either side. For travellers on the A1 it's well worth a diversion.
Modern cuisine is served using fresh, local ingredients. The menu depends on what's available but it's likely to feature steak, burgers, pies and Owen Taylor's Lincolnshire sausages. Or there could aged beef skewers, charcoal flatbread and miso and soy dressing.
You say: "We turned off the A1 on Sunday, heading south because we cannot bear to eat the food at service stations. Stumbled across the Duke William in Askham. We had the most beautiful lunch. Excellent value and of the highest quality. We both had the beef and Yorkshire Pudding. Everything served was amazing."
"I don't do many reviews, but this place deserves it, it is superb. Problem is, if we tell everyone how good it is we will never be able to get a table again..."
Location: Town Street, Askham NG22 0RS
4. The Ferryboat Inn
Set the sat nav and head north for another gem, this time a riverside pub at Church Laneham, which is winning hearts with its scenic countryside setting and big portions of delicious home-cooked food. For drinking there are four real ales, a wide range of gin, wine and "proper" coffee. For something cold and refreshing milkshakes are made with Thaymar ice cream.
Make it for 10am on a Saturday and you'll be in time for breakfast, either a full English or healthier options. Later in the day choose from hearty pub grub such as steak and Pheasantry Ale pie, Hunter's Chicken, chicken tikka masala, steak, burgers and scampi. The real open fire might be extinguished for summer but there's a lovely outdoor seating area to soak up the sun.
You say: "Absolutely banging! We’ve been three times in the last two weeks, we found this place after a search on Google after recently moving to the area. We sampled Sunday lunch this week and it was just perfect, the beef was cooked just how my Mam would cook it, succulent and tasty, the gravy was on point, too. Then I discovered Old Peculiar on the bar! Definitely our new local."
"Had a sirloin steak and Hunter's chicken, absolutely spot on great food and husband loved his steak. Definitely be back again."
Location: Church Laneham, Retford DN22 0NQ
5. The Brew Shed
What is it about north Notts with so many revered pubs? Retford locals are spoilt for choice. At the Brew Shed beer, from strong full-bodied New England style IPAs to gentler session ales, is brewed on-site by Harrison's Brewery.
There's often something new to sup with guest keg beers and bottles from around the globe. Gin lovers face the bewildering choice from a 150-strong collection. Winning titles including Nottinghamshire CAMRA Pub of the Year has done its reputation no harm. Add to that some cracking food and it's easy to see why it's a winner.
However, if you're planning a trip over the Platinum Jubilee weekend, the usual offering will be suspended in favour of a BBQ style menu, from Friday, June 3 to Sunday, June 5. Expect hand-pressed steak burgers, fall-off-the-bone beef ribs, custom-made smoky bourbon sausage dogs and coated wings.
You say: "The Brew Shed had always been our local for the excellent Harrison's beers but the food excelled today, new bar menu to enjoy and the king prawns were amazing, so much better than another establishment I'd tried a similar dish at. Highly recommended."
"Table next to us ordered steak and ale pie, reminded us of Desperate Dan's cow pie, it was huge. All food cooked fresh to order, nice choice of puddings, served with either big jug of custard, cream or ice cream. Online booking system really handy. A real find, highly recommended."
Location: 104 Carolgate, Retford DN22 6AS
6. The Commercial
Back 'down south' in Beeston, the Commercial ranks highly, gaining the support of ale drinkers and food lovers. Previously home to an Indian restaurant, the pub was taken over in 2021 and given a new direction.
Punters can choose from 10 cask ales, with beers from national and local breweries, which took it to the final of Nottingham CAMRA's LocAle Pub of the Year competition last year. Cocktail fans can bag a two for £10 deal any day before 7pm.
Hungry visitors can look forward to some mighty fine home-cooked fish and chips (the cod is supplied from Beeston’s Fred Hallam’s just doors away) lamb cutlets with tender stem broccoli and bordelaise sauce, and all the other pub classics including steak, pizza, pie of the day and burgers.
The pub has a sizeable beer garden and the next stage of improvement will see a children's play area built in time for the summer holidays.
You say: "What a lovely pub. Great atmosphere and wonderful food (competitively priced). The service was fast and friendly especially considering when we visited which was a Friday night and the pub was busy. Loved the fact that the venue is dog friendly too! We would recommend this venue to anyone."
"I have lived in Beeston over 20 years and eaten in most of places. The quality of food here is excellent. I can’t fault it. We have visited for a Sunday roast and took family. The service is quick and very friendly and the food is outstanding... well done.
Location: 19 Wollaton Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2NG
