The Shovel Inn, Carnforth

The Shovel is the best pub in Carnforth, hands down; the open fire gives it a warm country-pub feel, the main room is full of interesting Carnforth paraphernalia, the owners are friendly, as are the locals, and most importantly, the beer is both well kept and reasonably priced.

So, why only 8? Well, recent visits have left me longing for the days that I could walk in and know that Timothy Taylor's Landlord or Hopback Summer Lightning would be sat on the bar. On my last visit, both guest ales were 3.8% or under, which left me feeling more bloated than drunk.

They show live sport, which is great. If there's no sport on, a music channel will be playing. A minor criticism is that sometimes the music a touch too loud, and when it's of the more contemporary, dance-y persuasion, it can clash with the atmosphere of the pub and be a little distracting.

But that's just a personal thing, and it does little to change my opinion that this is a fantastic place to get well and truly 'shovelled'.

9 Dec 2010 14:30