5 Great Pubs near Belvoir Castle
One of our most common search terms on our webs site is for pubs near Belvoir Castle and it makes perfect sense.
If you’re visiting the famous Norman castle to visit the gardens, cafe, adventure playground, you might well want to find a pub for a meal before or after your visit.
Luckily there are a number of good pubs near Belvoir Castle, including one within the Engine Yard itself. Each has its own character and no two are very alike.
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The Welby Arms, Denton
This is genuinely our favourite of all the pubs near Belvoir Castle.
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.
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.
The ancient village of Denton is recorded in the Domesday Book as Dentune, meaning 'village in a valley'. It was once part of the Forest of Kesteven and trees still dominate parts of the landscape.
The Grade 2 listed Welby Arms dates back to 1662 and has been lovingly restored over the last two years, we are pleased to again be serving the Denton, Grantham and Vale of Belvoir area with fine ales and food.
The pub recently changed hands and seems to be enjoying a new lease of life. Jake and Abbie were chefs not far away at The Wheel in Branston and saw an opportunity to take on the lease and run their own pub.
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. We've never had a bad meal at The Welby so recommendations are easy, but "go to" options include mussels, burgers, steak and fish pie..
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. Drinks prices are much more reasonable than at either The Dirty Duck or The Chequers.
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
UPDATE: The Dirty Duck is changing hands in April 2024.
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
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, 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.
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 Balloon Bar, The Engine Yard
It would be unfair to talk about pubs near Belvoir Castle without mentioning The Balloon Bar at The Engine Yard, found below The Fuel Tank and accessed from opposite the shops.
Being more of a bar than a pub, the decor is one of the first things to mention. Balloons adorn the walls and tables and the lighting is subdued, giving The Balloon Bar the feel of a basement bar in London’s West End. The bar itself has a strong emphasis on gin and other cocktails.
Being below The Fuel Tank, food is not available, and opening times are limited to Friday and Saturday evenings.
| Pros | Cons |
| Eclectic feel and atmosphere. Wide range of spirits and cocktails available. | Lack of food. Limited opening hours. Expensive. |
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.