5 Great places to eat near Belvoir Castle
We get asked a lot for recommendations for restaurants and other places to eat near Belvoir Castle.
If you’re visiting the famous Norman castle to visit the gardens, cafe, adventure playground, you might well want to find somewhere for a meal before or after your visit.
Luckily there are a number of good pubs near Belvoir Castle, each has its own character and no two are very alike.
Table of Contents
The Welby Arms, Denton
It is easy to drive straight through the beautiful village of Denton without noticing the Welby Arms.
Situated on Church Lane and named after the Welby Estate, on which the village stands, The Welby Arms fits right into the historic appearance of the village with its stone architecture and many original features. It is close to Belvoir Castle, the Engine Yard, Grantham Canal and Denton Reservoir.
There are entrances in the front and rear of the building and a nice walled outdoor seating area at the front, opposite the primary school.
Inside, the bar is a central feature, with tables for eating on three sides and a comfortable area with Chesterfield-style sofas, armchairs and a log burner on another.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesday, The Welby serves food throughout the day from Wednesday to Sunday. On Sunday a range of excellent roasts are served from 11am to 4pm, after which a cut-down daily menu is available.
On the bar you will find a range of real ales and lagers. Snacks include Pipers crisps and a selection of hot food on a separate bar snacks menu.
The pub has a rating of 5.0 on Facebook, based on 25 reviews.
Some of the positive reviews mention the friendly staff, nice decor, great food, and lovely mid afternoon lunch. Others mention the excellent service and the fact that the pub is a great place to walk their four legged companion.
Overall, The Welby Arms seems to be a popular pub with a good reputation.
The Welby Arms
01476 249833
| Pros | Cons |
| Peaceful, friendly atmosphere. Comfy seating and log burner. Generous portion sizes. | Only open five days a weeks. Limited capacity - pre-booking for food advised. |
The Dirty Duck, Woolsthorpe
APRIL 2024: The Dirty Duck is changing hands.
Slightly hidden away to the North of Woolsthorpe (follow the sign to the Rutland Arms, its previous name) you will find the Dirty Duck nestled beside The Grantham Canal.
The Dirty Duck is popular with walkers, cyclists, fishermen and locals, as well as drawing customers from Grantham and Nottingham.
It has a large outside area which includes a bar which is open in the summer season. There is a caravan and campsite adjoining the large car park and there is a toilets and shower block.
The Dirty Duck is a much bigger pub than The Welby Arms and therefore might suit if you like a busier atmosphere. It has the same opening hours, being closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The Dirty Duck has mixed reviews on TripAdvisor. Some people find it a nice place to go for a drink and a meal, while others find it disappointing.
Some of the positive reviews mention the friendly staff, the nice atmosphere, and the good food. Others mention that it is a great place to go for a canal walk, as it is located right on the canal.
Some of the negative reviews mention that the food is overpriced, that the staff are not very friendly, and that the atmosphere is not very nice. Others mention that it is a bit of a dive, and that it is not worth the money.
Overall, The Dirty Duck Public House in Woolsthorpe is a mixed bag. Some people find it a great place to go for a drink and a meal, while others find it disappointing.
The Dirty Duck
01476 870111
| Pros | Cons |
| Large capacity both inside and out. Comfy seating and log burner. | Gets very busy and during holidays. Only open five days per week. |
The Wheel, Branston
Of the five pubs near Belvoir Castle listed here, The Wheel would be the most traditional Village pub.
Situated in the middle of the village of Branston, there is a car park to the rear of the pub, as well as on the road outside.
Inside there are two bars: a “snug” with three tables and a log burner and a larger saloon bar to the front of the building.
They serve a good range of beers, lagers and spirits and the website, linked below, includes the food menu.
it should be pointed out that while The Wheel is open seven days a week, the opening hours are limited. The pub is open from 4pm to 8pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, 12pm-9pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The Wheel Inn has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Tripadvisor, based on over 1,000 reviews.
The majority of reviews praise the pub's food, service, and atmosphere. Some of the things that customers particularly like include:
- The pub's Sunday roasts
- The friendly and welcoming staff
- The cozy and relaxed atmosphere
However, there are a few negative reviews, mostly from people who have had bad experiences with the food or service.
Overall, The Wheel Inn is a popular and well-regarded pub that is likely to please most customers.
The Wheel, Branston
01476 248165
| Pros | Cons |
| Open seven days a week. | Limited capacity. Limited opening hours. |
The Chequers, Woolsthorpe
In the southern end of the village of Woolsthorpe is the most high-end of the pubs near Belvoir Castle.
In addition to a small car park to the front of the building there is additional parking accessed by driving around the pub to the back.
The Chequers is a multi-faceted pub with a strong focus on the menu and the quality of the food. there is a bar area at the front of the pub and then there are many cosy dining areas and a large function room to the rear of the pub which opens out onto a garden area. The Chequers also has rooms available making it a good choice for weddings and other special occasions.
The food is excellent at The Chequers but you must expect to pay more and you would probably want to book in advance, rather than hope to get a table ad hoc.
Here are some specific comments from reviewers:
- "The food was delicious and the service was excellent."
- "The atmosphere was cozy and inviting."
- "The location was perfect, right in the heart of Woolsthorpe."
- "We would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a great meal or a place to stay."
The Chequers
01476 248165
| Pros | Cons |
| Large capacity. Comfy seating. Excellent food. | Gets very busy - booking advised. More expensive than some Parking can be limited. |
The Nags Head, Harby
It may be a short drive from Belvoir Castle but the trip to The Nags Head in Harby is worth it.
In the heart of Harby, The Nags Head is a proper village pub where drinkers and eaters are equally welcome.
There are plenty of tables of different sizes, including a few around the television if you would like to watch some sport while you are there.
Food is very good and sensibly priced.
Some of the things that customers like about the Nags Head include:
- The food is described as "excellent" and "home-cooked."
- The atmosphere is "relaxed and friendly."
- The staff are "very welcoming and helpful."
- The pub is a "great place to meet up with friends and family."
| Pros | Cons |
| Good atmosphere. Plenty of space in different rooms. Varied menu. | Can be quite busy so worth booking ahead at popular times of the day or week. |
A post about pubs near Belvoir Castle should also include a mention for The Manners Arms in Knipton, behind the Belvoir Estate.
The Manners Arms is a spacious pub, with many rooms, including a conservatory which is an excellent venue for meetings or parties.
At the time of writing, The Manners Arms has recently re-opened, please visit their business page for more information including details of their upcoming events.