The Cricket Inn (Thornbridge), Totley, Sheffield

Over the past few years, Bakewell`s Thornbridge Brewery have put together a sizeable portfolio of ale houses around the Steel City and its `better` suburbs. A usual part of their recipe for success is top quality pub grub to complement excellent ales and The Cricket Inn is surely the jewel in the crown.

Located on the absolute limit of the city boundaries, The Cricket is a very popular eatery and drinking hole for the folk that reside in this desirable district of Sheffield but it also draws clientele from further afield (nice stroll from the 97 or 98 bus too!). Ramblers, runners and horse riders readily use this spot as a place to refresh or regroup thanks to its glorious aspect. At the foot of Blacka Moor and with a sprawling cricket and football field at the rear, this place is idyllic on a nice day.

Sure, most people visit the Cricket Inn to eat, and it is very family-friendly but there is plenty of space for those merely seeking a scenic pint. Prices are `top end` but the selection and quality is usually pretty decent. Suffice to say that the food is spot on (won`t add further detail as there are plenty of brilliant bloggers better at foody facts). When we visited, beergeek favourite Kipling was on making selection easy but there were three other Thornbridge classics (Jaipur, Lord Marples and Wild Swan) on offer too alongside two quality kegs including the reyt tidy Reverend and the Makers American Brown plus a range of bottled beer. The Kipling was good, not as zingy and zesty as it is at The Coach and Horses but still a fine pint admittedly augmented by the vista.

 All of Thornbridge`s houses have their merits and their champions who will proclaim their local to be best: Greystones for gigs, The Bath for a proper beer-drinkers` bar or The Coach for comfortable cosiness but the Cricket is just special in the sunshine. Try it while it lasts, the sunshine that is!