Every now and then, Exposed have been known to leave the warm embrace of a Sheffield postcode and venture further afield in search of a restorative night out. For our latest soirée, we took a half-hour drive to Bawtry, a historic South Yorkshire market town known as the ‘gateway to Yorkshire’. Here’s how the evening panned out…
STOPPING OVER?
The Crown Hotel is a four-star stay, smack bang in the centre of the action on the high street. The vibe is contemporary boutique, blending plush touches with good old-fashioned Yorkshire warmth. Feeling peckish? The Robata Grill Restaurant has you covered from breakfast to Sunday lunch, all cooked over a sizzling charcoal grill that means business. Or you can head out to the terrace, plonk yourself down with a glass of something fizzy and watch the world roll by. It was a tad too early for us, however, so we settled for a few coffees before heading to our lunch date.
@crown_hotel_bawtry
WHERE TO LUNCH
There are a few spots dotted around town for a relaxed afternoon bite, but you won’t go far wrong with a visit to The Pantry Bar & Brasserie. With former MasterChef contestant and Sheffield restaurateur Reece Elliott in the kitchen, you can expect modern twists on classical dishes, all served in wonderful ambience inside this gorgeous heritage building – a former townhouse with roots stretching back to the 16th century. They’ve also got Thornbridge on draught, which is always a bonus.
@thepantrybrasserie
AFTERNOON PINTS
Post-lunch, we had a stroll around the town, visiting some of the many independent retailers on offer (would recommend the historic interiors store Womack’s if you’re looking for a sensory overload) before we decided to rest our tired feet in The White Hart – Bawtry’s oldest pub, which has been quenching the thirst of weary travellers since 1689. Things look a little different now, of course, and it’s the perfect spot to watch the afternoon scores come in while enjoying a chat with friendly locals. A proud member of CAMRA, this backstreet boozer prides itself on well-kept cask ales – which we can certainly attest to… hic.
thewhitehartpubbawtry.co.uk
OUT FOR TEA
A couple of pints later and our stomachs were rumbling once more. Thankfully, Ziniz was just across the road – a family-run Italian restaurant specialising in Tuscan cuisine, recently listed in the top 10 Italian restaurants in the UK by The Times. We gorged greedily on fresh seafood pasta dishes and their famous homemade polpette – meatballs made using a family recipe passed down through the generations. The post-meal espresso martinis were a delicious digestif and very much needed to add a little more fuel in the tank ahead of our final stop of the night.
@zinizbawtry
LAST ORDERS
This small but mighty watering hole may look unassuming, wedged between two of the town’s most historic buildings, but step inside The Market Bar and you’ll find a cool, laid-back vibe and an excellent selection of craft beers and cocktails. The heated back area was an unexpected surprise and we passed the final hours of our jaunt across South Yorkshire merrily potting under twinkling lights and heaters. ‘Hidden gem’ is tossed around all too frequently these days, but Market Bar, you’re more than worthy of the accolade. Salutes.
@the_marketbar
