Harriet’s guidebook
Village eateries and hostelries
See below for those within a minute or so's walk.
For a lot more, go to 'Visit Belvoir.co.uk' and look at 'Vale of Belvoir pubs' - our favourites The Red Lion, Car Colston, The Staunton Arms, Staunton, The Chequers, Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, The Red Lion, Allington: walks to and from these places in files at the house.
Check online. Almost a neighbour! Very good food at reasonable prices.
Ask for the vegetarian menu - separate from main menu - if you wish.
For a more intimate space, ask for the top floor ('wine bar'). If you are a group, they may be able to arrange that space just for you.
Book ahead if planning a weekend visit.
Pauls Restuarant and Wine Lounge
1 Market StCheck online. Almost a neighbour! Very good food at reasonable prices.
Ask for the vegetarian menu - separate from main menu - if you wish.
For a more intimate space, ask for the top floor ('wine bar'). If you are a group, they may be able to arrange that space just for you.
Book ahead if planning a weekend visit.
Check online. Very good food, very reasonable.
Check out the garden in fine weather.
Check if they have live music in the wine bar (occasional)
Check out the early evening menu - prix fixe. Also, the tapas come highly recommended.
The Thatch Restaurant
26 High StCheck online. Very good food, very reasonable.
Check out the garden in fine weather.
Check if they have live music in the wine bar (occasional)
Check out the early evening menu - prix fixe. Also, the tapas come highly recommended.
Good for breakfasts and coffees. Wifi. Excellent omelettes! Pizzas great and you can get takeaway - phone to order ahead and then collect.
PIZZINI
5 High StGood for breakfasts and coffees. Wifi. Excellent omelettes! Pizzas great and you can get takeaway - phone to order ahead and then collect.
Very good value! Large portions you may like to share... Queue and take away. Queen Street, round the corner.
Bottesford Fish and Chip Bar
3 Queen StVery good value! Large portions you may like to share... Queue and take away. Queen Street, round the corner.
There's a nice atmosphere in this restaurant, a good choice and you can relax. Adjoining the Rutland Arms. Since lockdown, you can get deliveries too. Or phone ahead and collect.
Spice India
2 High StThere's a nice atmosphere in this restaurant, a good choice and you can relax. Adjoining the Rutland Arms. Since lockdown, you can get deliveries too. Or phone ahead and collect.
One of two pubs. This has a friendly atmosphere and an open fire in winter. A good place to have a drink while waiting for a table at the Indian restaurant! The pub also serves lunches through the week (check if so after lockdown).
The Rutland Arms
2 High StOne of two pubs. This has a friendly atmosphere and an open fire in winter. A good place to have a drink while waiting for a table at the Indian restaurant! The pub also serves lunches through the week (check if so after lockdown).
This has a lively side and a quiet one - the latter full of Laurel and Hardy photos as the former landlady was Laurel's sister! Lots of space to sit outside kin the yard.
The Bull Inn
5 Market StThis has a lively side and a quiet one - the latter full of Laurel and Hardy photos as the former landlady was Laurel's sister! Lots of space to sit outside kin the yard.
Smart new cafe, 8-4pm. Seating outside. Just round the corner and next to Sid's greengrocers.
The Bottesford Coffee Shop
Smart new cafe, 8-4pm. Seating outside. Just round the corner and next to Sid's greengrocers.
Children's Activities
Plenty to do. You can start with a walk round village, pooh sticks on bridge and see ducks, geese and sheep near the churchyard paths. Tiny playground behind the Co-op, plus several playing fields around - one on Belvoir Road and a large playground and skate park on Grantham Road.
Lots of inside and outside space for smaller children including farm - donkeys, shetland ponies, sheep goats (fee to enter) - very popular. Cafe and little garden centre.
Little Jack's Farm and Garden Centre
Orston LaneLots of inside and outside space for smaller children including farm - donkeys, shetland ponies, sheep goats (fee to enter) - very popular. Cafe and little garden centre.
Village Amenities
Apart from eateries, Bottesford is well served by local shops. The co-op round the corner is open 7 days a week, 7am to 10pm, for most practical supplies and a good range of wines and beers. There is now a second larger coop open down Grantham Road - walk by the churchyard and, instead of going up to station, turn right between the ponds and then with the river on the right. You come out very near. Plus...
This is the butchers shop selling a big mix of good quality locally sourced meats, eggs and Stilton cheese. The family have been in the village over a hundred years. Other side of Market Street - just by the stocks!
Taylor A E & Sons
Grantham RoadThis is the butchers shop selling a big mix of good quality locally sourced meats, eggs and Stilton cheese. The family have been in the village over a hundred years. Other side of Market Street - just by the stocks!
Another friendly family business that sells a very good range of fresh fruit and vegetables, much from local counties, and a small selection of beautiful flowers. It is all outside during Corona days - I imagine I am in Europe! Cut down on plastics at this shop too. And take a bag!
Sid's Green Grocers
16 Queen StAnother friendly family business that sells a very good range of fresh fruit and vegetables, much from local counties, and a small selection of beautiful flowers. It is all outside during Corona days - I imagine I am in Europe! Cut down on plastics at this shop too. And take a bag!
Very friendly little place full to the brim of great bargains from children's toys and books to designer labels. One 'tough mudder' guest found a pair of trainers his size there!
Dove Cottage Day Hospice Shop
15 Market StVery friendly little place full to the brim of great bargains from children's toys and books to designer labels. One 'tough mudder' guest found a pair of trainers his size there!
A massive weekly enterprise on outskirts of village - get there early on a Sunday morning though! Check online to see if it operates in summer 2021.
Bottesford Giant Car Boot Sale
Grantham RoadA massive weekly enterprise on outskirts of village - get there early on a Sunday morning though! Check online to see if it operates in summer 2021.
On the High Street. Under new management. Open all hours! Is also the post office. Has a lot of local food and beers. Now also with a deli selling snacks, coffees, and you can order a buffet, English breakfast or trad Sunday roast - these can be delivered but you need to phone 2 days at least in advance.
Bottesford Village Store
20 High StOn the High Street. Under new management. Open all hours! Is also the post office. Has a lot of local food and beers. Now also with a deli selling snacks, coffees, and you can order a buffet, English breakfast or trad Sunday roast - these can be delivered but you need to phone 2 days at least in advance.
Sporting Activities
Many guests come for sporting activities, whether equestrian, Go karting or Sky diving. Here are a selection. In addition, there are cycling and walking routes all around - these recorded in house files.
First-timers and established teams have stayed in Bottesford for weekend events and week-long courses (one guest came and did a 2 week sky diving course). Langar Karting and Quad centre nearby.
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Skydive Langar
Harby RoadFirst-timers and established teams have stayed in Bottesford for weekend events and week-long courses (one guest came and did a 2 week sky diving course). Langar Karting and Quad centre nearby.
Brackenhurst Equestrian Centre
Unnamed RoadGuests have entered into these competitions near Southwell, NG25 0QF
Tough Mudder events here in May/June - guests have enjoyed these on various occasions, some coming from Germany and Eastern Europe.
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Belvoir Castle
Woolsthorpe RoadTough Mudder events here in May/June - guests have enjoyed these on various occasions, some coming from Germany and Eastern Europe.
Places of Interest nearby
There are numerous days out from Bottesford. Here, the list begins with those nearest and extends to those that take one hour.
Nine minutes by car but also walkable and by bicycle. Check website for prices and opening times (restricted). Very much worth a visit - for interior or/and its gardens, recently re-developed following the recovered plans of Capability Brown. Check also events at the castle and the recently restored 'Engine Yard' nearby with high-end shops and a cafe. Favourite cafe is Cafe Allez right by castle entrance. Walk the nearby 'Jubilee Way' - 4 miles to/from Stathern. (The route goes on and one towards Nottingham). Drink/eat at the Chequers, Woolsthorpe by Belvoir.
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Belvoir Castle
Woolsthorpe RoadNine minutes by car but also walkable and by bicycle. Check website for prices and opening times (restricted). Very much worth a visit - for interior or/and its gardens, recently re-developed following the recovered plans of Capability Brown. Check also events at the castle and the recently restored 'Engine Yard' nearby with high-end shops and a cafe. Favourite cafe is Cafe Allez right by castle entrance. Walk the nearby 'Jubilee Way' - 4 miles to/from Stathern. (The route goes on and one towards Nottingham). Drink/eat at the Chequers, Woolsthorpe by Belvoir.
20 minutes by car. Plenty to do in and around this beautiful house. All National Trust extras - shop, second hand books, plants for sale, cafes, walks. In the area, See Belton Garden Centre (with large stock and large cafe), Belton Woods Spa Hotel (half-day visits available), a couple of small forests, and golf courses. Visit nearby Londonthorpe Wood, run by The Woodland Trust.
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Bahay ng Belton
High Road20 minutes by car. Plenty to do in and around this beautiful house. All National Trust extras - shop, second hand books, plants for sale, cafes, walks. In the area, See Belton Garden Centre (with large stock and large cafe), Belton Woods Spa Hotel (half-day visits available), a couple of small forests, and golf courses. Visit nearby Londonthorpe Wood, run by The Woodland Trust.
2o minutes away by car. National Trust: Isaac Newton's home and now a small museum with visit around house. Lots for children's activities. Cafe. Good pub nearby.
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Woolsthorpe Manor House
2o minutes away by car. National Trust: Isaac Newton's home and now a small museum with visit around house. Lots for children's activities. Cafe. Good pub nearby.
20 minutes away by car. Good rural cycling routes too. Good walks by castle, gardens and the River Trent, on which you can also take a small cruise. The main square and market place are impressive and the town has a number of independent shops and cafes. Visit St Mary's, the Civil War Museum and nearby Air Museum. Newark is also a centre for antiques and various guests (from London and New Zealand) have stayed for that reason. Go a little further north from Newark to one centre: Budby Antiques Vintage Emporium, NG22. For those into gardens, a short drive away also is the Pureland Buddhist garden - beautiful.
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Newark Castle
Castle Gate20 minutes away by car. Good rural cycling routes too. Good walks by castle, gardens and the River Trent, on which you can also take a small cruise. The main square and market place are impressive and the town has a number of independent shops and cafes. Visit St Mary's, the Civil War Museum and nearby Air Museum. Newark is also a centre for antiques and various guests (from London and New Zealand) have stayed for that reason. Go a little further north from Newark to one centre: Budby Antiques Vintage Emporium, NG22. For those into gardens, a short drive away also is the Pureland Buddhist garden - beautiful.
30 minutes away by car / train. Visit castle with museum, Trip to Jerusalem pub, but also a number of god pubs/eateries near the castle; the Museum of Justice, the caves, the designer shops, Nottingham Contemporary and a dozen more galleries, plus a great choice of restaurants and bars. Take the tram to go further and see Wollaton Hall. Much more - look at Visit Nottinghamshire, or the Culture trip sites. The castle has recently re-opened (June 2021) and you are advised to book as it is very popular this summer.
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Kastilyong Nottingham
Lenton Road30 minutes away by car / train. Visit castle with museum, Trip to Jerusalem pub, but also a number of god pubs/eateries near the castle; the Museum of Justice, the caves, the designer shops, Nottingham Contemporary and a dozen more galleries, plus a great choice of restaurants and bars. Take the tram to go further and see Wollaton Hall. Much more - look at Visit Nottinghamshire, or the Culture trip sites. The castle has recently re-opened (June 2021) and you are advised to book as it is very popular this summer.
30 minutes away. A really unusual place to go. Industrial musuem with steam! Interesting exhibits for children and adults plus special events including Steam Punk.
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Papplewick Pumping Station
Rigg Lane30 minutes away. A really unusual place to go. Industrial musuem with steam! Interesting exhibits for children and adults plus special events including Steam Punk.
At Langar, 15 minutes drive. This unusual, relaxed centre has been cultivating wildflowers and plants for 30 years. Good to walk around, bring a picnic - there's a small playground too - or visit the cafe with shop attached, selling seeds and plants. Nearby, is Langar Hall with its very special restaurant, and not far away, the skydiving centre at Langar airfield.
Naturescape
Coach Gap LaneAt Langar, 15 minutes drive. This unusual, relaxed centre has been cultivating wildflowers and plants for 30 years. Good to walk around, bring a picnic - there's a small playground too - or visit the cafe with shop attached, selling seeds and plants. Nearby, is Langar Hall with its very special restaurant, and not far away, the skydiving centre at Langar airfield.
About 40 minutes by car. Go for its history - from medieval through 17th and 18th century - guests have enjoyed just walking around and browsing its independent shops. Good too for many pubs and restaurants. Check out festivals.
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Stamford
About 40 minutes by car. Go for its history - from medieval through 17th and 18th century - guests have enjoyed just walking around and browsing its independent shops. Good too for many pubs and restaurants. Check out festivals.
About 40 minutes away by car (A-roads. Rural back roads, longer). Oakham in Rutland is pleasant to look round, with its small castle and county museum but the surrounding area includes Rutland Water - great for walking or cycling around, plenty for children. See also Rutland Farm Park. For young adults, there's Aqua Park. There are other centres - one for birdwatching (Anglian birdwatching centre) and another for garden-related interests (Barnsdale Gardens) - nearby.
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Oakham
About 40 minutes away by car (A-roads. Rural back roads, longer). Oakham in Rutland is pleasant to look round, with its small castle and county museum but the surrounding area includes Rutland Water - great for walking or cycling around, plenty for children. See also Rutland Farm Park. For young adults, there's Aqua Park. There are other centres - one for birdwatching (Anglian birdwatching centre) and another for garden-related interests (Barnsdale Gardens) - nearby.
About 50 minutes. Look for car parks near the cathedral (various, inexpensive) and walk up 'Steep Hill' - if you can! The volunteers in the cathedral will give you a good tour round - really worth it. Around the cathedral are a number of independent cafes, and the Bailgate for independent shops and restaurants, etc. Lincoln castle has medieval origins and is well worth a visit with Victorian prison, Magna Charter and Heritage Skills Centre all contained within it - a guest really enjoyed this experience with his godson. For those into vintage vehicles, there's over 60 in the Lincolnshire Road Transport museum in nearby North Hykeham.
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Lincoln
About 50 minutes. Look for car parks near the cathedral (various, inexpensive) and walk up 'Steep Hill' - if you can! The volunteers in the cathedral will give you a good tour round - really worth it. Around the cathedral are a number of independent cafes, and the Bailgate for independent shops and restaurants, etc. Lincoln castle has medieval origins and is well worth a visit with Victorian prison, Magna Charter and Heritage Skills Centre all contained within it - a guest really enjoyed this experience with his godson. For those into vintage vehicles, there's over 60 in the Lincolnshire Road Transport museum in nearby North Hykeham.