Ye Olde Bridge Inn is the pub everyone wants in their village – great food, live music every Friday night and a large, family-friendly beer garden. Set in the small rural village of Oxton, just outside Southwell and 10 miles north of Nottingham city centre, it’s a real find, especially if you fancy a spot of outdoor dining with the pooch in tow.

No wonder it’s clocked up a strong of awards and accolades. It scooped Best Pub for families at last year’s Great British Pub Awards and it’s just been named county winner in the National Pub and Bar Awards 2023.

There’s stacks of outdoor space for dogs and kids (there’s a playground, trikes and even a Play Dome for littlies). Too chilly for sundowner drinks? Book up one of the dining domes that seat up to eight people, complete with heaters, Bluetooth speakers and ambient lighting.

The gastropub menu covers just about every taste with a tempting spread of specials from around the globe if you’re not up for the pub classics. Think Parisian Chicken Parmesan, Indian Kolkata Khatki and Lebanese flatbreads, alongside good quality gastropub favourites like fish and chips, pies, pies, gourmet burgers and stonebaked pizzas. Veggie or vegan? You’re in great hands here. Not just a token option, there are plenty of thoughtfully-crafted choices – everything from Japanese Teriyaki to Indian Kolkata Kathi rolls with masala paneer as well as vegan twists on the pub classics.

This place comes alive on a Friday night when there’s live music (magical outside under the fairy lights in the summer), but there’s also special events like country afternoon teas, Daddy Daughter days (pizza, fries, kids’ mocktail and ice cream) or book a picnic hamper to take into the lush green field to graze on a lazy afternoon.