Refurbished in mid-2006 this pub/hotel is a great out-of-town alternative for anyone visiting Sheffield or South Yorkshire/North Derbyshire.

If having to time your trips in and out of Sheffield to match the very limited bus service (No. 84, 1 per 2 hrs, 25 min journey) or the cost of the quicker but much more expensive taxi alternative isn't an issue then I could find no fault with this mid-budget offering.

Rooms are a decent size, queen size double in mine left plenty of room for decent size wardrobe, table, desk & two chairs. Views from the hotels elevated position over open countryside or, at a mile or so distance, back over some of the 'nicer' suburbs of Sheffield are pleasant and restful rather than spectacular. Bed very comfortable, six pillows and a good duvet. A wall mounted, reasonable sized, R/c ,LCD Digital TV offers what looked to be at least the full range of 'Freeview' digital TV & radio channels. Tray of electric kettle, tea/inst. coffee etc. cunningly hidden under suitcase 'rest'. 10 rooms, all on upper floor.

The family friendly; but not family dominated Pub downstairs sells a choice of three well kept Real Ales and some decent looking wines to accompany the reasonable range and quality of the evening menu. I had a decent sized portion of Mussels, in a light creamy sauce, topped with the interesting addition of briefly sautéed herbs and green leaves (texture and taste a bit like the 'seaweed' you get in chinese restaurants) and a portion of proper frites.

If you can, dine in the 'breakfast room' rather than the main pub area. Nothing wrong with main pub area, just the other room has better decor for dining, IMO. I only discovered this room at breakfast; which was well cooked and substantial - traditional 'Full English' plus juices, cereal & milk, coffee/tea and toast.

All the staff I encountered (about 7 over my stay) were very helpful, friendly and efficient but never obtrusive or obsequious.

The village of Ringinglow, which the crenelated hotel and octagonal 'round house', opposite, dominate, is more of a hamlet; A short walk discovered a score of houses (including the adjoined Bramall Cottage and Hillsborough House, a local in-joke) and a single shop, selling very up-market rocking horses. Beyond the village are a great number of walks and cycle routes (including the 'Round Sheffield' one if you're feeling very fit!)

Will almost certainly stay here again, as I visit Sheffield regularly; but only if the distance from the town centre isn't an issue for that visit: and probably not in a heavy Winter.