Away from the above locations the surrounding area is mainly rural, although to the north the tourist area starts again at Sutton-on-Sea. This area is the traditional Batemans area, although the 1990s 'cull' hit the area quite hard: the Barley Mow (see below) at Friskney, right next door to Wainfleet, was a pleasant pub with a good family garden area, but was closed; the Axe and Cleaver at Huttoft is now a Theakstons house (at least the garden looks better here now, but I don't know whether its family room still exists or whether it sells real ale); the most traditional of pubs, the Blacksmiths Arms (see below) at Skendleby with Batemans jugged from the cellar, is now about five times its original size; the Red Lion at Orby is now a Stones 'free house' etc etc.

Hopefully it's this section that will be expanded most in the coming years, with the kids now growing up they are less interested in the slot machines - giving me more of a chance to drag them to more interesting places. Our most recent trip has already meant that this section has had to be totally revamped - whereas it originally listed half a dozen pubs scattered around, it now lists the villages and the pubs that I know in them.

One thing to note, particularly in the area to the south of the A158, is the number of pubs that close for the odd session, the whole day, or the most extreme case, only opens Thursday to Sunday evening. Presumably these pubs were busy before farming became fully mechanised, and are now just trying to hang on, several having caravan sites in an adjoining field. It's unbelievable (and a great shame) that not even 0.1% of the visitors to the area can find their way away from the coast road.

MUMBY - RED LION - The next village up the coast from Hogsthorpe, the pub has a large garden full of unusual childrens rides (for a pub) which is an ideal suntrap for the odd times when a breeze springs up. Although most of the Bateman's range was available (including the summer specials such as Strawberry Fields), the provision of a 'guest beer' (which turned out to be Marston's Pedigree, which then became a permanent feature, followed by Marston's Bitter) lead to the loss of the excellent Bateman's Victory. Has CAMRA approved outside toilets. Food available lunchtimes and evenings. Sounds too good to be true? The problem is that a few years ago, obviously to appease the ignorant masses, coolers were fitted to the basic beers (but at least the XXXB was untouched). A big surprise this year was to find the place 'Under New Management' (thanks Mick for all of the good pints over the years). The change resulted in childrens meals being available (inside the pub!) and extended opening times. Beers were Bateman's DM, XB, XXXB and Marie Celeste, and Greene King IPA.

GUNBY - KINGS HEAD - Large smart pub with a conservatory that acts as the family room. The main attraction for families, however, is the large garden full of play equipment. A few years ago the old landlord spent a great deal of time and effort to shift Bateman's XB from the cellar to the handpump, including installing an electric pump to enable the handle to be pulled, but a year later he had been replaced by his son who ripped out the arrangement because "there's no demand for Bateman's". We tried again last year, tempted by the signs saying 'under new ownership' and 'Marston's real ale', to find Greene King Abbot (excellent) and IPA, along with Pedigree. Later in the year the range seemed to shrink to just Abbot (fine by me), although on one occasion even that was not on. The landlord, displaying a seemingly rare attitude for this area, was concerned that his new barrel wasn't quite ready, so he wouldn't put it on. He gave me a (generous) sample, and although he was right, it still tasted much better than the stuff that's served in many places. Last week the Abbot was again unavailable, but Tom Wood's Bitter was on. This was an excellent pint (and only 3.5%), if only the rest of the pubs in the area could serve drinks like this then no-one would ever want to drink the fizzy stuff. However, this pub is rarely busy, so the landlord needs your encouragement - if you are planning to go out in the car for a drink, go here!

ABY - RAILWAY TAVERN - a few miles away from Skegness, but worth the drive (or used to be - see below) for the well-kept regular and guest ales, perhaps after having spent a couple of hours at the nearby Claythorpe Water Mill bird gardens. A small but pleasant garden, with families welcome inside for food (menu includes Desperate Dan cow pie). Unfortunately, on our most recent visit, the place was looking run down, with the garden tatty. The only real ale was Everards Tiger, which was in poor condition, and it was also short of crisps and snacks. It will be unfair if it repeats its 2000 selection as runner-up in the area CAMRA pub of the year - there are better pubs than this in the area.

BURGH LE MARSH - WHITE SWAN - Traditional pub in the last village on the A52 before Skegness. Has a small outside drinking area, with Bateman's XB on handpump. A few years ago THE OLD BELL HOTEL, where we'd earlier spent five seconds (we couldn't be tempted by the Bass Special), went against the prevailing trends by being taken over by Bateman's. It now has a small but pleasant beer garden, along with Bateman's DM, XB and XXXB, and on our last visit we were also invited inside (but I don't know whether this offer would have been made if the place was busy). The OLDE BURGH INN (last time we visited many years ago) had three real ales, but there are only a few tables outside for families. The RED LION (previously the Inn on the Marsh, and something else a few years earlier) serves Bateman's XB, has small outside seating areas and the front and the back, and a sign saying that families are welcome in the (large) conservatory. There are two other pubs in the village that sold real ale at one time (and maybe still do) but without any obvious family areas.

ALFORD - ANCHOR INN - This pub has a decent garden that is undergoing further improvement, advertises childrens meals, and sells Tom Woods Bitter. HALF MOON - Has at least four real ales (I've lost my piece of paper with the list), serves childrens meals and has a very large back garden (good for butterfly spotting - lots of Buddleia - but they also attract wasps!). This market town has several other pubs, but I'm not sure about their facilities (having driven through Alford many times, this year was the first time we actually stopped).

SKENDLEBY - BLACKSMITH'S ARMS - As mentioned above this was one of the pubs sold off by Bateman's. It then underwent a massive expansion (not evident from the front) to become mainly a food pub. However, it still sells Bateman's XB and XXXB, and it has quite a large pleasant garden.

FRISKNEY - BARLEY MOW - After standing deserted for a while after it had been closed down by Bateman's, this pub reopened a few years ago. It has a very large garden (for car boot sales etc - another way to boost the income!) with part of it set aside for seating and a kids play area. Dixon's Old Honesty and Bateman's XB on hand pump, with a childrens menu. Closed Tuesday and some lunchtimes if I remember right.

THORPE CULVERT - THREE TUNS - Has a pleasant large garden (with access to the neighbouring caravan site). The real ales are Wood's Shepherd's Delight (and possibly Everard's Tiger - the badge was turned round, but I spotted the barrel outside). Sells kids meals, nice interior, pleasant landlord, and more or less deserted on a warm August evening - WHY??? Closed Monday.

THORPE ST. PETER - QUEEN VICTORIA - Has a large garden, very much into food (with childrens meals). Oldershaw's Newton's Drop and Bateman's XB on handpump.

WILLOUGHBY - WILLOUGHBY ARMS - Sells Bateman's XB and XXXB, and Fullers Summer Ale. Small but pleasant outside drinking area, made to feel welcome, and empty on a warm Sunday evening in August - WHY??? (again).

ULCEBY - OPEN GATE - The handpumps contained Bateman's XB and Wood's Shepherd's Delight (it was Ind Coope DBA when we last went many years ago). Has a pleasant good sized garden with a few chairs, but unfortunately the kids not made to feel particularly welcome, and there were no kids drinks.

NORTH THORESBY - NEW INN - Somewhat out of the area (unless you've been for a day out to Grimsby - don't bother - or Cleethorpes). Has an excellent garden, with lots for the kids to do, and was busy serving food. The handpumps contained Marstons Pedigree, Marstons Bitter, Mansfield Mild and something from Wychwood.

SPILSBY - I've not yet convinced the family that it would be a good idea to have a pub crawl around this market town, but there's a couple of Bateman's pubs, plus another that advertises five real ales.

HORNCASTLE - Another market town with a fair number of pubs. We nearly got a pint here, in a pub with a childrens play area, but it had just closed at 3 p.m.

WAINFLEET - Closed Monday (or so it seemed). The home of Bateman's brewery, along with another half dozen or so pubs (none of which seemed to welcome families). However, the brewery visitor centre is a must. For £2 (kids under 12 free) you get a trip around the brewery exhibition, which shows how beer is produced, and also contains George Bateman's collection of 5500 bottled beers, and you can get to play various indoor and outdoor pub games. For just £1 extra you can have two half-pints of Bateman's beer, from the choice of five.

MABLETHORPE - Just in case you are unfortunate enough to find yourself stuck here (excellent beach though) the only place that I know of for a decent family drink is the MONTALT ARMS. It has three real ales, serves childrens meals, and has outside seating areas at the front and back (shared with a huge fish pond).

MAREHAM LE FEN - ROYAL OAK - This favourite watering hole, ideal for stopping off for a rest on busy Saturdays, with a good garden and childrens play area, provided a major shock when the Bateman's pub sign was replaced by a horrible shiny green Mansfield one. We've not called in since, expecting the worst, but according to the pubs247 website (excellent site, it's a shame more people don't use it) the pub belongs to the Cask Marque scheme, so must sell real ale.

WELTON LE MARSH - WHEEL INN - Advertises real ale, families welcome and beer garden, but when we tried at 7.30 one Sunday August evening the place was closed and one of the two benches outside was covered with rubble.

HOGSTHORPE - VICTORIA TAVERN - This pub is hidden from the main road (which probably used to be a good idea as it stops the tasteless masses visiting and demanding their fizzy beer and lager). Although it has a large outside seating, the play area that used to be provided has disappeared. A tiny family room might still be there. When we were regulars (before the play area went) good food was available lunchtime and evening. Bateman's XB and Mild were available, but I think the Mild disappeared when the landlord tried to attract more visitors by serving draught Stones and Mansfield. Last time we went the choice was back to XB only (which for me was the same choice that there always was). The biggest disappointment from our holidays this year was to find that this pub now only sells crap, so don't be mis-lead by the Bateman's pub sign. SARACEN'S HEAD - Not been here for many (many) years, even though it did advertise real ale and family room a few years ago. Now the Victoria is off-limits we'll have to give it a try.

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