Durham Ox Restaurant & Country Pub, The

One of Warwickshire's most renowned country pubs, The Durham Ox, situated in the tranquil village of Shewley, has benefitted in recent years from a complete refurbishment. From the landscaped front entrance to the bar and restaurant inside, visitors will take pleasure in all that the Durham Ox has to offer. The traditional country pub is firmly back on the map welcoming guests with friendly staff, real ales and a crackling open fire.

The restaurant introduces a menu, that is focused on local sourcing and fine quality ingredients, with such choices as a three course menu at £10, available from Monday to Saturday, and another at £12.50 for two courses served on Sunday lunchtime. These set options are perfect for the business lunch or evening dinner with friends, and sit well alongside the more traditional pub food alternatives.

Starters of freshly made soup, crispy pork belly and scallop salad, or devilled scampi Provençal certainly give an encouraging start, and the portions are by no means ungenerous. If you are a cosy twosome you could always turn up the pace a few notches by sharing a baked camembert, or assiette de conchonnerie of Italian cured meat, Parma ham, salami, coppa, terrine, pickles and extra virgin oil crostini. If you are just plain hungry have one all to yourself and call it a main course - or not, as the case may be.

Now here's a nice touch. Under the euphemistic title of Pub Classics, and for a very cool £8.80 a time, you can indulge in macaroni and cheese, beer battered fish and chips, ox cheese and bacon burger, or the ever faithful cottage pie and honey carrots.

It gets even better - whilst the devilled scampi Provençal is still a lingering memory you find yourself weighing up the relative merits of cidered suckling pig or lamb en croûte, and dismissing thoughts of infanticide either go for the Heart of England beef entrecôte or fall for that roast fillet of line caught cod.

There are two set menus at £10 and £12.50 which offer what seems like incredibly good value, in fact it is beyond comprehension how anyone could go anywhere else, such is the quality, the terrific atmosphere and the lack of wallet-challenge. An extensive wine list accompanies the more traditional ales.

A huge garden with outside seating and dining area at the back of the venue complete with large children's adventure playground offers space for all, and those who just want to take in the views of the beautiful countryside can find tranquillity in the front garden.

All in all, a great venue for the business lunch date, the large family, intimate dining for couples and a fantastic bar for those popping in for a beer - in fact, a pub with food for all seasons and every conceivable occasion.

Be sure to check on their Website for up to date information.