Armoury, The

The only intimidating thing  about The Armoury is its name. For once you pass the massive red brick exterior and step in, you'll be welcomed by the lovely laidback atmosphere of a country pub and long runs of huge arched windows that illuminate the interior and offer views across the broad River Severn.

In 1995, the armoury building was renovated into an impressive pub with such charming features as an open plan interior with bare brick walls, a display of floor-to-ceiling books, a stone fireplace, stripped wooden floors and mixed wood tables and chairs.

The bar offers a fantastic choice of drinks that include eight real ales, great wines, around fifty malt whiskies, spirits and rare liqueurs.

And when it comes to the food, get set to feast on well-created pub dishes from a daily changing menu of soups, sandwiches, light bites of, say, Welsh rarebit with poached egg on toasted white bread or grilled sea bass fillet with a rocket, fennel and orange salad, and mains of braised shoulder of lamb with roast new potatoes and vegetables, or teriyaki chicken, pak-choi, oyster mushrooms and sesame broccoli.