Rutland Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Oakham Nub News are joining forces to publish a series of reports, articles and stories about local pubs, venues and awards.

CAMRA is an independent organisation run by volunteers who promote and champion real ale, cider, and traditional British pubs and clubs. 

It is considered one of the most successful consumer organisations across Europe. Founded by four real ale enthusiasts back in 1971, today they represent beer drinkers and pub-goers across the UK.

They are prolific in Rutland, naming a range of local pubs, clubs and breweries in their Good Beer Guide 2023. They also recognise and award local pubs for pouring a 'proper good' pint, the most recent of these awards going to The Plough Inn in Caldecott.

Debbie and Gene collecting their award. Image credit: Nub News.

Vice Chair of Rutland CAMRA, Homera, has been visiting local venues, and will be shining the light upon local venues across the county. Her first foray took her to The Marquess of Exeter in Lyddington:

Down the main Road of the sleepy village of Lyddington lies the old pub of Marquess of Exeter.

The records show that the pub goes as far back as the 17th century under the name of Exeter Arms. Throughout the centuries it was owned and ran by one family named Colwell. At various times the ownership was handed over to different names of Julyan Joseph or Samuel Smith and others. It would have been very interesting if the pub could tell the tale of this changes and how they came about.

Exeter arms changed to Marquess of Exeter in honour of David Lord Burleigh, Marquess of Exeter who was a renowned athlete during the 1920's and I believe the inspiration for the film 'Chariots of Fire'. He took part and won the 400-meter hurdle in the 1928 Olympic and won a gold medal. It is said that the pub had an interesting sign, with the picture of a hurdler on one side and Marquess of Exeter on the other.

In April 2022 the Pub was taken over by Chef Krushna. An interesting addition to this very English village. Bringing it into a trendy, modern, exotic and culturally diverse 21st.century. The chef had owned and ran a successful restaurant in Richmond London, and now the transition to the quiet and blissfully peaceful Lyddington will prove intriguing. I was told by the staff at the pub that everything has been done and will continue in order to keep the identity and the integrity of the pub. The north Indian menu will run alongside the English traditional pub menu, which is reassuring. At the time of my visit there was only one ale on tap, but I was told that by summer there may be one or two more. I hope so.

The grade two building has been extended and improved over the years, but I believe it caught fire some years ago and Marston, the Brewery, had managed to renovate it to the appropriate standard. 

There are seats and umbrellas in the front and a large patch of grass in the back called: 'the meadow' and an interesting table and two chairs by the back door facing the carpark.

As you walk into the pub the atmosphere is restful and welcoming. A lot of old beams, large light windows and white pristine tablecloths look inviting with the glint of shiny glasses and the cutlery waiting to be used.

The 'Historical England 'goes into many architectural details about the building, but I will not be repeating them! All I will say is that the rough but freshly painted walls, the alcoves, the old hatch framed by a wonderful looking beam and the feel of the place is reassuringly old.Whether Marquess of Exeter is going to be basically a restaurant or a pub I cannot say, but change happens, and I wish them success in their endeavour.