Cygnet Restaurant at The Swan Hotel

Those who remember the old A1 in the days may recall sweeping through the little town of Aberford, passing a handsome double-bayed inn, which projected, importantly into the roadside. For some 400 years this building has offered rest and sustenance to travellers and just because they've moved the road they see no reason to stop. In the Cygnet Restaurant a vast array of starters awaits you, though you will be encouraged at every turn to make an advance booking. From a prawn cocktail in Marie Rose sauce, through three flavours of home made pate, we progress to spare ribs, crab, crepes and king prawns, a veritable harvest festival of starters. For a place not exactly close to the sea there is an equally generous choice of seafood dishes, of which the seafood mixed grill is one of the most intriguing. Duck and chicken feature in no less than thirteen manifestations and so it goes on. The food is good, the décor is warm, welcoming and oak with low ceiling. It's a great pity in some ways they are no longer on the road but the blessed relief to both villagers and diners must be enormous.