Dundas Arms

This friendly establishment has been looking after the needs, offering both food and drink, for famished and parched folk since the end of the 18th Century. It is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the banks of the River Kennet and The Kennet and Avon canal. The Dundas Arms has been in the same family for more than thirty years and the proprietor, David Dalzell-Piper has worked and cooked in the establishment throughout that time.

Located at the crossroads of Southern England, it is only a short distance by road or rail (Kintbury railway station is just the other side of the canal) from many national and local places of interest and entertainment. Oxford (the dreaming spires), Winchester, Salisbury and its Cathedral, and Stonehenge are only around 25 miles away and the village is halfway between the capital city of London and Bath (Roman Baths and The Royal Crescent).

Locally you may choose to spend a day at the races at the famous Newbury racecourse, also nearby is Highclere Castle, home of The Earls of Carnarvon where tours include the Egyptian Centre in which one can see many artifacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun.

The restful and simple elegance of the Restaurant evokes the ambiance of a French auberge. With views over the canal it provides a comfortable setting in which to enjoy local produce imaginatively cooked. The restaurant is quieter than the bar and offers updated modern food, there is also an extensive and varied wine list from which to choose to complement your meal. The Opening Times refer to when they serve food, while the bar is open during normal pub hours, 11 am to 2.30 pm and 6 pm to 11 pm, though it is closed on Sunday evenings.

The bar menu is chalked up on a blackboard and varies from day to day, a full 'a la carte' is offered in the restaurant, where dishes on offer could include: leek and potato soup; fresh dressed crab; grilled goat's cheese on Italian bread with sweet tomato puree; Parma ham and salami with melon and parmesan cheese or chicken liver pate with tequila to commence the meal with.

On offer for the main courses might be: roast breast of duck with cider and apple sauce ; grilled rib eye steak with mushrooms and chips; pan fried pigeon breasts on celeriac purée with a pepper and redcurrant sauce; roast rump of lamb served with a leek and mint sauce; baked cod and chips and tartare sauce or grilled tuna steak with chilli, orange and tomato sauce.

The Dundas Arms has just five bedrooms situated on the ground floor of the old stable block where barge horses were originally housed; these peaceful rooms, all with telephones and en-suite bathrooms, have patio doors leading to a terrace which overlooks the River Kennet and the trees beyond. A full breakfast, which is included in the price of the room, is served in the morning. More information is available on their Website.