IF you fancy A good meal, a pint of the finest Robinson's Cask Conditioned Ale - and a Shire Horse - then there is only one place to go, The Alvanley Arms Inn, at Cotebrook.

The Robinson's Brewery Inn, which boasts seven rooms for accomOdation, four dining areas and a bar, is run by Janet, Alistair and Matthew King, who took over the establishment almost a year ago.

The family also own The Cotebrook Shire Stud next door, hence the equine theme throughout the 400-year-old inn, which has a traditional country pub feeling with cosy open fires.

The King family are not new to the hotel and inn business, Alistair is a previous landlord who ran the establishment for several years and his son, Matthew, was born upstairs.

The food, which is freshly prepared by chefs Keith Warren and Richard Cooke, who use only locally produced products, is traditional with a bit more besides.

The menu offers an array of appetising meals, and although I went with the intention of trying the famous award-winning home made steak and ale pie, I was sidetracked when I saw the extent of the menu and also the specials board, which boasted seven extra choices.

For my meal, I opted for brie wedges with a gooseberry dip followed by a Barnsley chop, glazed with an orange, mint and rosemary sauce, which was accompanied by a dish of buttered leeks, carrot and turnip batons and sliced potatoes baked with stilton.

For dessert, I could not resist the Bailey's torte which was making an appearance that week on the specials board.

Each course was presented on plain white plates and although there was a wait for each course, I was informed that all the food was freshly prepared by the chefs.

But the room was so cosy, and there was such a good supply of hand-pulled ales on offer, including Archer's Bitter and Hatter's Mild, that this really wasn't a problem.

My visit to the Alvanley Arms was very enjoyable indeed. The atmosphere ISs very friendly and customers are left to enjoy their meal at leisure.

Alistair and Matthew are only too pleased to talk people through their many rosettes, trophies and photos which are on display and are also happy to arrange tours of their stud.