retiredmartin

October 2023. Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

Now all these trips to honeypot villages in Bradford and Grantham are fine and well, but I know it’s Mansfield you really want to read about.

GBG24 brings two (2) new entries in and around Kirkby (not Merseyside) home to Larwood,

and once home to four railway stations, impressive for a mining town of 25,000.

One station is plenty, often more than enough.

And one hour is plenty to discover Kirkby’s many architectural charms.

Actually it looks very colourful,

and the Guide newbie Doghouse brings a bit of modernity to a solid high street.

I’d say micro, but with TV screens, quizzes, and warm welcomes for canines and children it’s a community bar with beers you’ve heard of.

I get a warm welcome from the young barman, even warmer when I miraculously find the right coinage.

“Correct change. Legend !!” he says. Young people are lovely

It’s all very tastefully decorated in a “homely Spoons” way, and the Blue Monkey is a murky marvel (3.5).

Lola sits quietly by the table next to me.

“She’s worn out” says the bloke.

But she’ll perk up when they treat her at the pet shop.