(L- R) Manager Jamilah Akhtar and supervisor Grace Haywood at The Radcliffe pub(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)

The Nottinghamshire pub with fantastic food and drinks and a whole lot of soul

11 Apr 2026, 12:36 by Lynette Pinchess · NottinghamshireLive

It is one of three contenders in the National Pub & Bar Awards 2026

The Radcliffe is a shining example of how a closed down pub can be brought back to life. The former drinking haunt, previously known as The Trent, underwent a radical top-to-bottom transformation costing £450,000 in 2019.

Since then the pub, in the village of Radcliffe-on-Trent, has gone from strength to strength, with high scoring reviews and award after award.

Now it's in line for another. Having won best Nottinghamshire pub at the 2021 and 2022 at National Pub & Bar Awards, management didn't expect to be in with a shot this year.

But The Radcliffe has made the shortlist once again, along with The Anchor in Gunthorpe and the Four Bells Inn in Woodborough.

Pubs put themselves forward for the accolade, detailing their drinks, food, how customers are made to feel welcome, offers, investment and sense of community. The finalists are judged by a panel of industry experts, with winners revealed on Wednesday, June 10 in London..

Manager Jamilah Akhtar, who has been at the pub from day one, said one of its strongest attributes was the service. She said: "We have soul and a warm welcome. And as cheesy as it sounds we just have a happy environment here.

"The team have been here long-standing, many of them have worked here for nearly seven years since it opened. It does make a difference because customers like to come in and see the same faces and they know they're going to get looked after, and visa versa, we like to see the customers.

"I think that our service style is just not quite out there all the time in other places unfortunately. From the minute that the guests sit down to the minute they leave, we make them feel welcome."

Another strength is the food created by a team of passionate chefs. The British gastro menu changes every six weeks to keep it fresh and seasonal, using produce from local suppliers.

That said, the fish and chips, burger and sticky toffee pudding would be taken off at their peril. "They are the staples, they will never leave the menu. They're banging," said sous chef Danny Petch, who has worked at the pub, in Shelford Road, for just over a year.

The day NottinghamshireLive visited Danny was working on the fish of the day. "We've got fresh stone bass. I'm going to do some tempura tenderstem broccoli, sriracha butter sauce and we make our own gnocchi," he said.

Right now diners can enjoy starters of pressed ham hock terrine, salt and pepper squid, and goat's cheese and beetroot tartlet. Mains include roast chicken breast, served with homemade gnocchi, chorizo and grilled artichokes.

The two other accompaniments salsa verde and red wine sauce are worthy of a bigger mention too. The sauce-making is a three day process to get the depth and flavour.

The salsa verde, meanwhile, is made using wild garlic picked locally. Danny said: "We have wild garlic sprouting now so I go foraging for that near Shelford and down by the River Trent

"It's so pungent but it's lovely. We make a wild garlic salsa verde and wild garlic crisps. We utilise it to the max becasue you only get it for a couple of months and then it's gone."

Likewise elderflowers will be picked once they come into season and used to make a fragrant jelly. "I'm so passionate about working here.. I could literally talk about it all day," he said.

When it comes to the drinks, real ale fans will find a rotating line-up, currently Adnams' Southwold Bitter and Doom Bar, while Timothy Taylor's Landlord is a permanent fixture.

Crowdpleasing Amstel, Old Mout Cider Beavertown Neck Oil and Guinness are also on tap, while those looking for no and low alcohol versions are catered for with options such as Guinness Zero and Adnams' Ghost Ship.

Cocktail fans have it made with two for £12.50 every day between 6pm and 8pm, while wine drinkers will find a selection of wines, not available elsewhere in Nottinghamshire, apart from the locally-owned Secret Pub Company's other pubs, The Railway in Lowdham and The Plough at Normanton-on-the-Wolds.

The annual competition, organised in conjunction with Pub & Bar magazine, showcases the UK’s finest pubs and bars, crowning the best venues within 94 counties across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The contest also takes into account investments owners make. Last year The Radcliffe was refurbished inside, while outside new furniture was added on the decking.

Community is another feature. The Radcliffe supports local football teams and charities by giving away raffle prizes and helps to bring the community together.

Every year it hosts a summer garden party with entertainment. "We sell about 150 tickets and it's just a nice get-together. A couple of years ago it rained but everyone was still in good spirits, dancing with brollies," said Jamilah.

Customer Jackie Willey, of Gedling, said: "I always come here for my sausage and mash because I love it. It's really tasty. We've never had a bad meal. It's lovely here. It's very clean and the staff's friendly."

Retired workers from Nottingham's motor distributors club meet there for lunch every two months.

Philip Hopewell, who was joined by nine other members of the group, said: "We've been coming here for a few years now. Service is good, the food's very good. They know us so we're well looked after.

"I think they deserve to win. The beer's good and there's an excellent range of alcohol-free stuff as well."