Restaurant review: Traditional pub The Kettledrum Inn offers excellent food and a warm dog-friendly welcome

Surrounded by hills and farmland, this is the kind of pub you see on postcards from the country.

While visiting our favourite holiday cottage on the border of Lancashire and Yorkshire, this pub made such an impression on our first visit that we returned two days later with the dogs.

Huge car park

Lured in-part by the huge car park, me and my partner Brian called in on-the-fly where they luckily hand a free table as they’d had a last-minute cancellation.

Dog friendly dining

Our two spaniels were given a warm welcome from the staff, with the owner coming over to give them a handful of treats – a very nice touch on our dog-friendly break (there are also designated areas for those who prefer dog-free dining.)

Friendly locals

While popular with the locals, there were no cliquey “you’re not from ‘round ‘ere” vibes and one of the regulars gave some friendly menu recommendations.

Lots of history on display

The walls are filled with intriguing maps, artifacts and old photographs that offer a glimpse into Clivinger – it’s worth a mosey around the room when it’s quiet to read some of the plaques about local dignitaries, legends and moments that have shaped the village.

A large wine cooler gets my attention, and I opt for a refreshing blush.

More than just pub grub

The menu has a good choice of traditional pub food, starters, sandwiches and a few more adventurous dishes including a Malaysian curry with jasmine rice, and the moldy chicken – pan seared chicken in a stilton and red wine sauce with spring onion mash and greens.

Massive portions and all freshly made

I ordered fish and chips with mushy peas and was brought an enormous plate of delicious home-cut style chips and crispy beer battered fish. The second visit I opted for the smaller portion, at £9.50, which was still a decent size and left me feeling full. Brian had a steak and ale pie - slow cooked grass fed beef, gravy with home cut chips and mushy peas, for £13.95. Tender chunks of meat, and bay leaves gave the gravy a subtle spicy kick.

Verdict

The food is excellent value for money – very generous portions, and all tasty, fresh and better quality than I’d expect for the price. We loved the rural location, traditional decor and the fact that we felt like we’d had a proper local history lesson. The staff and locals made us, and the dogs, feel so welcome on two occasions during our trip. 5/5

Visit https://www.thekettledruminn.com/ to book or find out more.