Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<p>A welcoming country pub just twenty minutes from the bustle and noise of Leicester city centre, making it ideal for a spot of weekend downtime, The Lancaster Arms has undergone a dramatic transformation since it was taken over by landlord and local history buff Ian in 2019. Think relaxed and spacious dining, roaring log fires, an outdoor heated terrace, garden with private dining pods and decor that nods to the nearby historic site of Bosworth Battlefield.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>Conviviality is top of the agenda, it’s all about getting together and having a fantastic foodie experience, whether you want to cosy up by the fire with your beloved, drink cocktails on the terrace with the girls or celebrate a big birthday with your extended family in the private dining space. The front of house team are super warm and friendly and make the place feel like a home from home.</p>



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<p>The decor is smart and kind of quirky but unpretentious. Think indoor trees with fairy lights, paintings of Richard III dotted about and the odd battle axe (no, I’m not talking about the fab Floor Manager Sharon, who’s been here for a gold watch-worthy 25 years).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



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<p>Behind the scenes in the kitchen, Head Chef Antony, who was welcomed to the fold at the start of the year following a stint at the award winning Griffin Inn in Swithland, has hit the ground running. The menu is traditional with an occasional twist – filled ciabattas, falafel burgers, venison bourguignon – but we were here to test drive Sunday lunch and we weren’t the only ones – it’s a decidedly popular spot and we were surrounded by couples, young families and birthday celebrations, but despite the buzzing atmosphere and busy-ness, the staff have their feet well and truly to the gas.</p>



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<p>Not wanting to fill ourselves up too much before the main event, we shared starters. A warm goats cheese and beetroot salad, one of my favourite combos, with a lovely caramelised slab of melting goats cheese, sticky balsamic dressing and crunchy croutons, you can’t go wrong with that in my book, so top marks, and tempura prawns with garlic mayo and a dressed rocket salad – a failsafe child pleaser and perfect for keeping them happy while you anticipate the roast dinner.</p>



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<p>You may have though it impossible to make the concept of a Sunday roast any more perfect than it already is. Please allow me to introduce to you the Sunday Sharing Board. Heaven help me, this has got to be the most joyful way to sit around a table with family or friends and eat a proper good meal without any of the hassle of actually cooking it or scrubbing the roasting pans of doom afterwards.</p>



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<p>The idea is so good, yet so simple, I don’t understand why it’s not a universal pub roast language. You order whatever meat or veggie you want individually (sirloin, lamb, honey glazed pork, pie of the day) and your meal arrives on a communal board with all the trimmings in the middle of the table and you help yourselves. Just like at home. And here’s the best bit: the roasties and veg are unlimited. When we’re out as a family, there’s always someone who isn’t that hungry, or has a much smaller appetite, and someone who can literally eat for the GB Olympic team. This way, everyone’s happy.</p>



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<p>I went for a vegan butternut squash Wellington, whilst we also had sirloin of beef, both of which were served on the communal board with all the trimmings, plus sea bass with crushed potatoes and a garlic&nbsp;<em>sauce</em>&nbsp;<em>vierge</em>, which comes plated up rather beautifully. The Yorkies were suitably enormous, the gravy was vegan-friendly and the roasties were quite honestly perfect. I loved the little extras on the board too – a gorgeous tangle of pea shoots and a gooey roasted garlic bulb.</p>



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<p>Think we couldn’t possibly have stuffed in dessert after all that lot?&nbsp;<em>Au contraire</em>, I came armed with an elasticated waistband, you know. We shared a deliciously delicate slice of apple tart and a hazelnut brownie bar with warm white chocolate chunks and Madagascan vanilla ice-cream, which were polished off in minutes.</p>



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<p>This is elevated pub grub, it’s ideal if you love cooking but want to go out and experience something that little bit more special than you can achieve at home without standing on ceremony.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility">ACCESSIBILITY</h2>



<p>There are a few steps down from the car park into the restaurant area, so you may need some assistance, but there are double doors and it’s pretty spacious inside and can easily accommodate pushchairs and wheelchairs in terms of capacity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



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<p>You’re smack bang in the middle of Richard III country here, he’s even said to have rested his troops on this very site before his famous last stand at nearby Bosworth Battlefield (you know, the one where he offered his Kingdom for a horse before meeting a grisly end and winding up under a car park). There’s a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bosworthbattlefield.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heritage Centre</a>&nbsp;and museum (above), where you can learn all about the clash between the Houses of York and Lancaster in the Wars of the Roses and there are guided walks, talks and children’s activities. Leicester city is just a twenty minute drive for fab shopping – head to Loseby Lane for boutique vibes, Highcross for the big chains or Fosse Park West for out of town retail.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong>&nbsp;Family gatherings, a cosy&nbsp;<em>tête</em>-à-<em>tête</em>, birthday celebrations – The Lancaster is ideal for when you want informal vibes with fantastic food a great service. Oh, and cyclists will love it here too, as there’s a row of pro bike racks with outdoor tables next to them. Perfect for a refuel.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong>&nbsp;Dieters may struggle as the food is certainly hearty. It’s a pub-style restaurant and the vibe is pretty casual, so look elsewhere if it’s formal dining you’re after.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong>&nbsp;Nothing is cheap these days, is it? But the menu here is pretty good value considering the quality of food. Starters from £6.95, mains on the Sunday roast menu from £16.95 and desserts from £7.95.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://thelancasterarms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancaster Arms</a>, Station Rd, Leicester LE9 9FP</em></p>


Review: The Lancaster Arms, Desford

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