Seven reasons why you should visit The Plough
Lynette Pinchess asks what makes this country pub in Normanton-on-the-wolds the best in Nottinghamshire?
THE crown for Nottinghamshire’s best pub in the National Pub and Bar Awards has gone to the Plough in Normanton-on-wolds. The country inn follows in the prize-winning footsteps of the Railway in Lowdham and the Radcliffe in Radcliffeon-trent, other pubs also belonging to the Secret Pub Company.
The Plough’s general manager, Becky Cassapi, said: “It’s such an incredible award to win especially because our big sisters have already won this award. I’m so proud to follow in their footsteps. Hopefully, it will bring more people into The Plough.
“We are a little bit of a destination pub so whatever we can do to shout about the amazing pub we have here, I think this really helps.”
A total of 94 county winners across the UK have been selected. They now compete for the regional title in this case, the best in the East Midlands. The winners will be announced in June.
If you’re never been to the Plough before what is the attraction? We’ve rounded up seven good reasons why the pub in Old Melton Road is worth a visit.
A great range of drinks
Arguably it’s the most important element of an award-winning pub. Currently, there are three real ales behind the bar, which will increase to four or five in the summer.
Becky said: “We’ve always got a local beer on. At the moment, it’s Lenton Lane. Before that it was Castle Rock.
“We have our staple ones, Black Sheep and Wainwright go down a treat and sell amazingly. I always like to mix it up a bit with something interesting and local, to support local businesses.
“Gin is definitely still a big thing. We have such a variety of gins in different flavours. We’ve got some local gins on,” said Becky.
The local producer is Ruddy Fine Gin, which has a distillery less than five miles away from the pub.
Wine drinkers are kept happy as well. For special occasions, there’s bubbly, from a £6.90 glass of Prosecco to a £60 bottle of Gardet Brut Tradition Champagne.
All the wines are supplied from the House of Townend, an independent, family-run wine merchant in Hull, established in 1906. Four generations have built relationships with some of the finest wine producers in the world, and buy from some of the smaller, quality wine estates.
The choice includes whites that are light and delicate or vibrant and zesty, and reds that are rich and fullbodied or refined and distinguished.
Delicious food
The food is a huge attraction, propelling visitors to the pub. Chefs use fresh, seasonal produce to create the menu, which has just changed for spring.
A lighter alternative to battered fish is a roast cod fillet with hand-cut chips, crushed peas, and warm tartare sauce. Fish lovers will also appreciate roast salmon with English asparagus, broad beans, peas and Jersey Royals or sea bream with saffron potatoes and potted shrimp sauce.
New season lamb with salsa verde and chicken and truffle Caesar salad are ideal for spring. One item that will never leave the menu is The Plough burger served in a brioche bun with pancetta, melted Brie, onion relish and gherkin. Similarly the signature sticky toffee pudding never goes out of fashion. It remains on the menu alongside new desserts including a chocolate and orange éclair and Yorkshire rhubarb turnover. Vegans have a separate menu with dishes such as mushrooms on toast, coconut chana masala with grilled purple broccoli, and warm ginger sponge. And it goes without saying there’s a first-class Sunday roast with beef rump, pork belly, roast chicken or savoury bread pudding.
Becky said: “I think food is such as important part of hospitality these days. The menu is all fresh food - it’s such a big selling point for us. People want fresh and that’s what we can provide. I’d argue our signature sticky toffee pudding is one of the best you can find.”
Friendly service
What is good food and beer, if you don’t have the service to match?
Becky said: “Our biggest focus is passion. All of our team want to be here. We want to create almost like restaurant style food in a really nice pub environment, that’s the goal we’ve got. We are casual, we are friendly but we provide exceptional service to everyone that walks in. “
Attractive surroundings
From the outside, the pub looks idyllic with the frontage covered in creepers, some of which change from green to red as the season changes. When the Secret Pub Company took over the Plough in 2021, it was given a full revamp.
The seating, partitions and flooring were all new, with a design brief to keep the country pub feel with modern touches. It worked. There’s still plenty of traditional features at the only pub in the village though.
The bar was made cosier and it’s especially cosy in winter when the log fires are roaring in the bar and the lounge. The 60-seater restaurant with elegant royal blue chairs is particularly pleasant when the bi-fold doors overlooking the outdoor dining terrace garden are open on warmer days.
“We kept the traditional bar but just added a bit of flair especially to the restaurant side. We still try to keep that warm cosy pub environment,” said Becky.
An award-winning beer garden
Like all other pubs belonging to the Secret Pub Company, a large garden is one of the essential components. An abundance of shrubs and colourful flowers surrounding the grassy expanse with wooden picnic benches, make it an attractive setting for an alfresco G&T or refreshing lager.
Last year the Plough won Nottingham Camra’s award for the “ideal beer garden”. The secluded gem is bordered by high hedges and mature trees.
Family-friendly
Last year the Plough was named Best for Families in the Great British Pub Awards. The garden has a small adventure playground, including a slide, for youngsters to burn off some energy.
The kids’ menu features favourites such as cheeseburger, chicken nuggets and fish fingers but they’re all freshly made rather than out of a freezer. Sausages are locally sourced and on Sunday’s there’s a child-sized roast. There’s raw vegetable sticks and tomato soup to begin and sticky toffee pudding, chocolate brownie and ice cream for dessert. Activity sheets with puzzles and colouring will keep little ones entertained while waiting for their food.
Becky said: “The kids’ menu goes down really well. It’s full of fresh food with dishes that kids enjoy. There’s a lot of choice for the kids but the parents can be confident they’re getting good food.”
Events and theme nights
The Plough has gained a reputation for its events, including the annual garden party which attracts quite a crowd. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, June 15. The barbecue will be fired up and there will be live music in the evening from an Abba tribute band.
Another major event on the calendar is a Christmas market with an array of independent stallholders, mulled wine and hot Christmas cobs. On a smaller level, the pub has begun hosting murder mystery nights – the most recent was “Top of the Drops” 1980s party night. Sunday is quiz night followed by the chance to win a princely sum on Sticky 13s.
“Whether it’s a big event or something a little bit smaller we can do more regularly, we put our heart and soul into all our events,” said Becky.