Chequers, Ravensthorpe

This brick-built Grade II listed building consists of two rooms in an-L shape arrangement with a bar to the front and restaurant down the side. The restaurant which resembles a barn conversion, in fact only dates from the early 1990s but has been very cleverly constructed to look like it has been there a lot longer. The pub was originally a Phipps tied house but was sold as a free house and escaped the "Watneyfication" of the 1960's and 70's A family owned pub, the current landlord's parents bought the freehold of the Chequers in 1990. It is a friendly pub and the hub of village social life. The pub is adorned with an eclectic mix of objects and pictures and there is a fine display of foreign bank notes surrounding the dado in the main bar area. Outside is an old outbuilding which houses Northants skittles, pool and darts. There is a vast menu offering very reasonably priced meals. Over the first weekend in July at lunchtimes, the pub is virtually surrounded by vintage steam road vehicles driven down from the nearby Hollowell Steam and Heavy Horse Show and the sight and sounds are quite spectacular. Up to three changing beers, usually sourced from independent regional brewers are offered.