South Kesteven
White Lion

White Lion

31 High Street, NG33 5NE, South Kesteven, United Kingdom

Pubs • Full • Steak • British


"Post-Lockdown Lunch at The White Lion Costerworth 24th July 2020Like many people we have just ventured out for the first time for lunch after lockdown and therefore we were both excited and a little apprehensive of what it might be like to meet friends at a pub for lunch. if you are in a similar state of mind then by all means go to the White Lion at Cosyerworth if you can, because they make the whole experience absolutely relaxing and food is also excellent!They have taken every precaution so that the waitress is masked and you take items from her tray. Condiments are brought in sachets and the whole atmosphere is one that is very welcoming and as relaxed as it can be in the circumstances.The food it was thoroughly excellent and all home-made; two of us had the beer-battered haddock which literally hungover the large plate such was the size, and the chips were proper thick home-cooked chips which were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside so they had obviously been properly double cooked.The others had the homemade pie of the day, which was declared excellent, and a filo pastry dish with cheese which was also excellent and huge in proportion. The apple pie, and ginger sponge, available with custard or ice cream or cream were both also huge and excellent as were the coffees. We were also very pleasntly surprised at how reasonably-priced everything was when the bill came too!So if you are still worried about dining out Post Lockdown and you are within driving distance of the White Lion at Colsterworth I do thoroughly recommend it as you will enjoy the experience hugely."

The Royal Oak Swayfield

The Royal Oak Swayfield

27 High Street, NG33 4LL, South Kesteven, United Kingdom

Pub • Steak • Vegan • British


"We stayed at this pub a week ago which was at about the same time as Vacation77007 whose review has already been listed. We entirely agree with that review as we had the same experience basic menu, poor acidic wine and not what we were expecting given the reviews for this pub. Also we were irritated by the loud ‘background’ music from the 1970s. There were only eight other dining customers on the Friday night. In comparison the next night we had a meal at a nearby pub which was excellent and had a great menu to choose from. It catered for 50 60 diners and all the tables were taken. Vacation77007 states that there were no other diners at the Royal Oak that night except his family. The Royal Oak has a good sized car park. Accommodation was in an annexe next to the pub and that was ok. Breakfast is taken in the bar area of the pub. To our surprise we were told that breakfast was at 9.00am. We were given some leeway on our first day (8.30am) but there was no leeway on our second morning. We have stayed in many b&b’s round the country and all serve breakfast 8 9am with some willing to serve even at 7.30am. However the Royal Oak is locked up until 9am which prevents making a start to breakfast. To get on and do what we wanted to do that day we had no choice but to have cereal, toast and coffee and avoid the wait for the cooked breakfast. Coffee consists of just one mugful. We wondered if we would have fared better having breakfast at a transport cafe."

The Stag

The Stag

Church Street, South Kesteven, United Kingdom, NG32 2NB

Meat • Steak • Salads • Chicken


"The Stag Inn is a delightful looking pub overlooking the small green in the village of Barkston near Grantham. Internally the pub is clean and tidy with a range of two and four seater tables with New England shades of light blue on the painted table legs in the restaurant area. We didn’t venture into the pub side so can’t vouch for the decor in there. We arrived unannounced just after opening time of 12 and were offered a table with no difficulty. There was a menu of the usual offerings of fish and chips and a range of burgers together with roast salmon, chargrilled pork chop, a leek and cauliflower cheese pot pie, ham egg and chips and a vegetable lasagne amongst others. A specials chalkboard hung on the far wall and the crab and prawn salad with Mediterranean bread sounded so good we both opted for it. That was a mistake as we were to find out. The meals were reasonably quick to arrive and were served up in two large bowls with a dusting of paprika round the edges. What hit me immediately was the large flaccid green lettuce leaf draped over the edge of the bowl, together with a whole half-a-lemon that we each had. A small wedge would be perfect. The bread tasted sweet and was as far from the Mediterranean as it could possibly be apart from the occasional input of sundried tomato. What irked me most though was that the bread was delivered up pre-buttered with what looked like some bright yellow catering spread. A small ramakin of real butter between the two of us would work so much better. When asked if everything was okay I mentioned this and was told that chef would be informed. Having said all that the crab and prawn salad was full of flavour and sat on a nice mixed salad of red peppers, lettuce, red onion and cornichons. A word of advice to the wise….. don’t sit at the table near the restaurant counter as this is where the pub’s phone is located. On at least two occasions the phone was left to ring unanswered by the staff, presumably as they were busy elsewhere (the pub was by no means full) and was right behind my head! The volume of the ringer was high and it would have been a more pleasant experience for us if, firstly, it was answered and, secondly, the volume was turned down. On the plus side the staff were polite and helpful but the food not so great."