Castle Inn

Popped in for Sunday dinner. Very good value indeed. 3 courses for £13. Very nice food, tasty, hot. Very welcoming young waitress, very polite. Will return for sure.

The Castle Inn has 3 or 4 real ales on at most times, usually Deuchars IPA, Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Black Sheep, which are all kept extremely well.

The carvery on Sunday is great value and the food during the rest of the week is of a good standard.

Overall a very welcoming pub with comfortable lounge, restaurant and old-style tap room.

The Castle Inn, a historic village pub on Twentywell Road in Bradway, is set to reopen its doors under new ownership. Following its unexpected closure in August, the pub will once again become a hub for the community, thanks to the experienced hands of Maurice Crookes, his wife Wendy, and their business partner Malcolm Bough.

Maurice Crookes, a seasoned publican and former owner of The Millhouses pub, has come out of retirement to take on this new challenge. Joining forces with Malcolm Bough, the former proprietor of the White Swan, the team aims to revitalise The Castle Inn and restore its place at the heart of the community.

"This is my fourth last pub," Maurice joked. "I retired 12 months ago, but I just couldn't pass up this opportunity. We're excited to reopen and make it a space where the community feels welcome."

Ahead of its reopening, the pub is undergoing significant renovations, particularly in the kitchen. Once the doors open, Malcolm will spearhead the catering side, offering a menu of "traditional British fare" designed to please locals and visitors alike.

The pub will also introduce lower prices for drinks, aiming to attract a broad clientele, from neighbourhood regulars to those exploring the scenic walking routes in the area.

Maurice emphasised his commitment to making The Castle Inn more than just a pub. "You can't just open a pub, put some dominoes on the table, and expect people to come," he said. "We want to engage with the local community and provide what they want."

The team plans to host various community events and initiatives, including quiz nights, book clubs, and charity fundraisers. They're also inviting local groups to use the pub as a meeting space.

In line with their love for dogs, the pub's first community event will be a unique dog beauty competition. Categories will include the cutest, fluffiest, and most intelligent dogs, celebrating the area's many canine companions.

"We're a nation of dog lovers," Maurice noted, "and we want to make sure the pub is a place where everyone, including dog owners, feels welcome."

The reopening is just the beginning. Plans are already in place for further improvements, including redecorating the tap room, reinstating the fireplaces, re-upholstering furniture, and reopening the beer garden by next summer.

The Castle Inn's new chapter promises to blend tradition with modern community-focused touches. It is expected to reopen before Christmas, just in time to bring festive cheer back to Bradway.