Chequers

Those who think that Fenland is a culinary desert are wrong on several counts, and one of them is the Chequers Inn at Gedney. There are several, well actually six, Gedneys in the area so when you go calling make sure you get the right one. You might, of course, call at all six (58 miles by road) and qualify for a full Gedney. Voted Lincolnshire's Dining Pub of the Year by Good Pub Guide in 2000 the Chequers brings in fresh fish from not-so-near Grimsby and relies heavily upon other local produce. Start with warm goat's cheese salad, progress to the Lincoln Red beef and finish (if you can, for a full plate only is acceptable in these parts) with some of their lovely sticky puddings. There is a 60-strong wine list with some interesting selections and if you have hairs on your chest, or even if you don't there are ample supplies of well-kept Green King Abbot and Elgood's famous Black Dog Mild. By the way you might meet Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Prince of Wales and other aficionados of Fenland's superb churches as they pause for sustenance on one of their Big Church Safari's.