The pub consists of a small traditional public bar, with a darts board, a slightly larger lounge bar with a dining-room annexe. Out the back is furnished with timber garden furniture on the partially covered paved patio area, with a log burner, and the lawned area with a hexagonal open-sided summer house, with a block paved floor. After many years in brewery ownership (Ind Coope, then Burtonwood, then Marstons), the Brookside is now an independent free house, popular for local ales and Indian food.
Historic Interest
This historic inn first started trading in the 18th century. It is tucked away in a secluded part of the village, so much so that, many years ago, former proprietors placed advertisements in The Leicester Mercury, issuing a challenge for consumers to find the pub. In bygone days, long before refrigeration, barrels of beer were cooled in Barkby Brook, immediately to the front of the pub. The barrels were laid in the running water, along a stone trough, which is still in situ to this day. A commemorative plaque fixed to the side of the brook bank brickwork, is visible from the footbridge, and reads: "A short run of specially shaped stones down the centre of the brook bed. Beer barrels from The Brookside Inn were rolled onto the stones to cool. In use until the early 1900s".
This Pub serves 1 changing beer (Constantly varying) and 0 regular beers.
Brookside, Barkby