Queens Head Inn

The River Nene valley snakes its gentle but steady way through the Northamptonshire heartland, passing some of the finest historical settings, landscape and people in the southeast Midlands, some playfully concealed whilst others clearly regard themselves as part of the river's identity.

Not long after leaving Fotheringhay Castle, for ever associated with Mary, Queen of Scots, who must surely have passed through Nassington on the final few miles to the scene of her trial and execution, the valley tightens a shade as it prepares for the final descent to Peterborough and the Fens, so that the village of Nassington is very much a river village. The Queens Head Inn and Restaurant, built with the local mellow limestone, looks out serenely over the peaceful countryside and it is hard to imagine a more restful location for a weekend away from it all, a family occasion, or just an impulse dinner for two.

All of these, and more, The Queens Head Inn, with its Visit Britain 4 star rating is more than capable of doing superbly well. Nine ground floor, spacious chalet style bedrooms offer a range of facilities that would be the envy of some London hotels, but at a price that goes nowhere their rates. King size doubles, en suite shower room or bathroom, toiletries by Gilchrist and Soames, comfortable duvets and bedding set the scene. Modern expectations are well met with 32" LCD televisions, free wireless internet access, direct dial telephone and clock radio, complimentary tea and coffee hospitality tray and mineral water. Naturally all rooms are non smoking and you can park the car with direct access to the bedrooms.

In the light and attractive dining room a realistic approach is taken to matters of refreshment, and in the winter months expect to find homely hotpots, stews and wonderful politically incorrect steamed suet puddings. Northamptonshire enjoys its sporting shooting and the great Estates yield fine game of impeccable background.

A summer menu could offer poached pear with Colston Bassett Stilton mousse and onion marmalade, garnished with crispy bits, or that old favourite, an omelette Arnold Bennett topped with smoked flaked haddock and sauce Mornay.

Not everyone wants, let alone needs the full weight of a mains dish, and traditional English kedgeree can make a substantial starter or a light main. As the meerkats would say, 'simples!' Braised brisket is slow cooked until it has reached the desired tenderness and is then served with potato fondant, cabbage and braising liquor.

Sticky toffee pudding, that Cartmel favourite, now has so many variations it can almost lose the way, but this is the real thing, and the lemon tart served with fresh raspberries reaches out to the spirit of summer, even if the rain is lurking round the corner. It used to be possible to say that certain parts of our sceptred isle were notable for their cheese but now thanks to enterprise and wider appreciation there are less and less places without their own cheeses. In any case nobody would deny Lincolnshire Poacher, Red Leicester and Fowlers Derby sage an audience, so expect to find them at The Queens Head.

The vineyards of the world have been plundered to make up a wine list which is a sheer delight. Each wine has been delightfully and accurately written up with a brief introduction and availability by the glass for some makes for interesting and responsible pleasure.

It would be possible to go on about The Queens Head, an establishment with which I am not unacquainted through use, much more, but I hope what has been said will make the point that here is somewhere which delivers what it says it will, consistently and with charm, as you can find out from their Website.