Packhorse bridge at Medbourne September 2007

GEOGRAPH

This and other attractive villages in Leicestershire confirm our belief that the hordes who descend on well-known Cotswold villages are misguided.

We stayed at the Nevill Arms at Medbourne (north-east of Market Harborough) where we had, in order of importance, several pints of London Pride (which we preferred to the Cornish St Austel bitter), splendid dinners and breakfasts and attractive bedrooms with luxurious beds.

The Nevill Arms has recently undergone renovation and we were the first to sample the rooms. Have they achieved that tricky balancing act of good accommodation, a high quality restaurant and a friendly local bar? The televised rugby world cup lead to a lot of empty seats on Friday evening, but Saturday evening was packed to capacity in both restaurant and bar.

Sunday lunchtime looked busy too, with all tables taken in the area down by the river - so some people recognise a good Inn when they find one.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would recommend it.

Medbourne is quiet, pretty and well placed for a number of walks. With a simple bridge over a small river (though a nearby path is called Waterfall Street - exaggeration or threat?) it's a perfectly pleasant place to walk from or to, or simply to sit and chat on a warm afternoon.

We drove to Foxton Locks for our Saturday walk and walked directly from Medbourne on Sunday.