Pub in picturesque Northamptonshire village uses ice cream hatch to sell takeaways during lockdown

Stoke Bruerne is used to welcoming tourists when the sun comes out but this summer has been very different from the norm.

As the coronavirus lockdown restrictions have been eased, more and more people have been going for a social-distanced walk around the canal.

The Boat Inn has been making the most of the passing trade, despite being unable to reopen, by selling takeaway food and drinks from a hatch usually reserved for ice cream.

Landlord Andrew Woodward, whose family has run the pub since 1877, said: "We haven't been closed at all during the lockdown.

"We've always had a grocery shop at the pub since the 1960s to cater for the increase in tourism and canal traffic so we've been using that to provide for people in the village and surrounding villages for deliveries and collections.

"Then three weeks ago before the bank holiday weekend, we opened the hatch where we usually do ice cream and offered a limited takeaway service - burgers, sandwiches, cakes, beer, wine, Pimms and ice cream of course.

"We're not allowed to serve members of the public on our own tables at the moment, inside or outside, so customers can take it away and enjoy it while walking along the canalside."

Another place offering refreshments for revellers in the village for a day trip is an adorable pink ice cream van at the Canal Museum.

But the museum and cafe remains closed for now, as is Rookery Open Farm.

Andrew said visitors have been generally respectful of their surroundings and others by keeping their distance and not littering.

"It's not been overly busy, not like it has been at the seaside where the beaches are absolutely stupid," he said.

"But everyone's been fairly well controlled and well behaved, even with litter people have been taking stuff away or putting it in the bins.

"Everyone seems to be doing their best to act responsibly and enjoy the outdoors with their families."

The Boat Inn is open for takeaways from the hatch from 9.30am to 3pm on weekdays and until 5pm at the weekend.