Jon Harley down at the Mill of the Black Monks was always asking about having a mention in 'The Bar'. I can now do that while saying a very big thank you for making us welcome one Tuesday afternoon in April. Well at least a big thank you to Jackie Law, the head waitress and also Andrew Nightingale and Robert Jones, the chefs of the day. And extended also to all the staff who work extremely hard. It was Jon and Diane's day off, Jon had gone to freeze at the side of the river bank while fishing and Diane was doing a more leisurely activity, shopping.
They fitted in a small wedding party of 22 without much notice at all, putting us into the more private Banquet room where we were able to put up balloons and a setting for the wedding cake etc. No meals were pre booked and all chosen on the day from the specials board and the main menu. And everything was served at the same time with more than enough to feed even the heartiest appetite. This while still seeing to the rest of the busy pub customers. Once again thank you very much.
The Mill of the Black Monk is without doubt a food place. However they do serve Real Ales. They have Marston's Pedigree as the regular beer plus a weekly changing guest beer. The Mill won a special CAMRA Pub Design Award in 1991 in the Conservation Award Category.
At the time of writing, Jon and Diane had been at the Mill for 5 years out of the 14 years it was restored and converted into a pub restaurant from what used to be The Priory Mill. The Mill was founded in c1154 as Priory of St. Mary Magdalene of Lund (sacred woodland grove). In time it took the name of nearby village of Bretton thereby becoming Monk Bretton Priory. Refurbishment has been done with a great eye for detail, modern features don’t seem at odds with the original bare beams and imposing architecture. The result is the atmosphere is far more unique than the average pub or club. They say that the toilets are haunted, but on my visit I failed to encounter any of the supernatural inhabitants of the loo’s.
For anyone who doesn’t know the geography it's between Cundy Cross and the infamous Stairfoot Roundabout, on Grange Lane across from the Monk Bretton Priory. It has a very extensive menu, from sandwiches to 15oz sizzling steaks with a good selection of main vegetarian meals and children’s menu. The specials board changes daily and is served 12pm - 2pm; 5pm - 7pm. Special lunchtime offers for pensioners are also available every day including Sundays.
As for keeping the children entertained, they will just love the play area outside, it is strong and sturdy with wooden climbing frames, swings and slide all within a walled garden.
