Secret Drinker reviews the Durham Ox at Thimbleby
If you can’t get to the beach, bring the beach to you.
That seemed to be the motto at the Durham Ox, where - in total contrast to what I was expecting - I was greeted by something of a seaside feel inside.
Deckchairs, buckets and spades and even one of those boards by the pier where you stick your head in a hole to look like you’re in a postcard greeted me by the bar, while jellyfish and ice cream designs dangled from the wooden beams.
There was even a sign reading ‘a little sand between the toes always takes away your woes’.
Fortunately, there wasn’t any actual sand on the floor and arguably - especially in a pub - there’s something a little stronger that can do a job of erasing your worries for a bit. But either way, you get the gist.
Located at Thimbleby, this gorgeous country pub - which was doing a roaring trade with delicious-looking food when I dropped by - is closer to the Lincolnshire Wolds than east coast, but as summer season is in full swing you could hardly blame them for getting into the holiday mood.
As I grabbed my pint and took a seat I was half expecting to be offered a peek at the arcades round the back or spot some posters advertising the evening’s entertainment courtesy of a Chuckle brother.
Sadly, none of that occurred, but I did quickly realise I was parked up in the dining area and, suddenly feeling very out of place, decided to do some exploring.
I eventually settled on a comfy seat next to a spot known as the Cow Shed, which features some delightful bovine busts (heads, not udders).
I was effectively ordered to check out this pub by a friend who likes to stop off after playing a round of golf nearby; ‘the watering hole to complement the 18 holes’, as he likes to say.
Knowing I have a penchant for places that randomly cobble stuff together yet somehow work, he reckoned this would be the place for me.
And he wasn’t wrong.
Scattered fireplaces, portraits of Churchill, a red-leafed tree like the one in Game of Thrones where all the bad stuff happens, busts, signs and hotchpotch furniture came together to create a homely, timeless feel that instantly put me at ease.
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There’s also a nice, warm conservatory and a decent-sized beer garden, complete with some cosy ‘huts’ in case you fancied a little shelter or privacy.
Chatting to a pleasant couple seated nearby, I enthused about the beach decor before they kindly informed me this eye-catching interior design was to promote an upcoming seaside tea event.
Talk about going all out. But then I suppose the Durham Ox doesn’t appear to be the sort of place that does things by halves.
DURHAM OX, THIMBLEBY, LN9 5RB
DECOR: A madness with method in’t. This country pub feels more like several small rooms with their own personality all thrown together, but it works marvellously. The place feels warm, cosy and instantly as if it’s your local. The seaside promo was a delightful bonus. 4/5
DRINK: Your usual bar favourites were available, but I plumped for a pint of Adnams Ghost Ship (ABV 4.5%), a well-known citrus pale ale. I’d not had this for a few years and - possibly down to the many decent pales flooding the market at the minute, it wasn’t as nice as I remembered. 2/5
PRICE: I thought £4.50 was a fair price. 3/5
ATMOSPHERE: The place was very busy, mostly with diners that were either families or couples on the elder end of the scale. But the place was doing a good trade and the people I chatted to were lovely. 3/5
STAFF: I was greeted by a bubbly pair of ladies who couldn’t have been more charming, welcoming and chatty. One of my favourite welcomes so far. 4/5
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