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Secret Drinker reviews the Red Cow Inn in Fishtoft




Don’t judge, but I have some friends who are into rambling.

Yes, they do go on a bit, but for fun these masochists also like to punish their bodies by going on ridiculously long walks in the countryside.

Regularly they ask me to join them on their kissing gate expeditions and regularly I politely tell them to ‘sod off’ because I enjoy normal hobbies that don’t include expensive weird, pointy sticks and the potential to be trampled to death by a miffed cow.

The Red Cow Inn in Fishtoft
The Red Cow Inn in Fishtoft

But the one merit their pastime affords them is a get together in the pub at the end of the exercise. So, on some rare occasions when the mileage is manageable I reluctantly agree to dress up like someone called Sven and tag along.

If golf is jokingly known as a good walk ruined, then heading to the pub after a ramble must be a bad walk improved.

The last time I stupidly decided to go a-wandering I ended up at a memorial to the Pilgrim Fathers in Fishtoft.

The Red Cow in Fishtoft
The Red Cow in Fishtoft

It was from this very spot that the United States’ founding fathers didn’t set off to start a new life in the Americas but, instead, failed to set off for Holland and got nicked.

But less of the history lesson and more about the present. Round the corner is the Red Cow Inn, a nice old-fashioned traditional village pub with a pleasant conservatory dining area.

The landlord was a salt-of-the-Earth kinda guy who, when serving and not chatting with some punters watching the horses, was more than happy to tell it as he saw it, enjoyably liberally at times, while his barmaid - back at the pub after working elsewhere - was getting reacquainted with the prices and the regulars.

The bar at the Cow
The bar at the Cow

There’s something of a sports theme running through the pub with its old trophies on display, the dart board, pool table and old photos of title winning teams pinned to a corkboard.

A local football team, in their matching tracksuits, drunk what was left of the post-match afternoon away on the decking, part of a cracking beer garden.

Now, as you can see from the photographs, this wasn’t a trip undertaken last week. And here I’ll let you into a trade secret.

Pictures of former sports team title wins by the trophies
Pictures of former sports team title wins by the trophies
Grab a seat as the beer garden quickly filled up
Grab a seat as the beer garden quickly filled up

Because the Secret Drinker doesn’t pop out to a random spot in this vast county once a week and write about it. Who has the time - or petrol money - for that?

Read more Secret Drinker reviews here.

Sometimes a few pubs are visited in a day and my notes end up a little sketchy, sometimes I nip into a boozer in my lunchbreak if my work takes me somewhere in Lincolnshire. Other times I’ll find myself at a hostelry for one reason or another and think ‘now this place deserves a review’.

Anyway, back to the beer garden on this summer’s day; a marvellous suntrap that attracts a cross-section of locals has had some serious effort put into it.

The conservatory dining area
The conservatory dining area
A place to soak up the sun
A place to soak up the sun

The decking area (I can’t find a photo, but I’m sure I took one) was packed, while we were lucky to get a table as they quickly filled up.

There was even a mini climbing frame to keep the toddlers amused.

Maybe one for your bucket list. Just don’t bother with the ramble.

A pint of Cruzcampo in the sun
A pint of Cruzcampo in the sun
Inside the gents
Inside the gents

RED COW INN, GAYSFIELD ROAD, FISHTOFT, PE21 0SF

DECOR: Inside it was a traditional village pub, outside a glorious spot to enjoy the better weather. 3/5

DRINK: After something a little more refreshing than a Batemans in went for a pint of Cruzcampo (ABV 4.4%). 3/5

PRICE: I paid £4.70. Not too bad. 3/5

ATMOSPHERE: The place was lively both inside and out. A decent Saturday afternoon. 4/5

STAFF: The barman told it his way and the barmaid was very pleasant. 3/5

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Do you agree with the secret drinker or have any suggestions where he should go next? Where is your favourite beer garden? Email secretdrinker@lincsonline.co.uk or comment below.



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