English Restaurant at Crazy Bear Hotel

A popular haunt indeed with a restaurant that combines being English and a Thai-inspired brasserie at the same time, perfect for families when the children want to eat simply and the adults are looking for something more sophisticated.

Once upon a time, a few years ago, it was a simple place, a semi-derelict pub called 'The Bear and Ragged Staff', then Jason Hunt got hold of it, changed the name and an awful lot more as well, including some highly individual bedrooms in the outhouses.

Its popularity being what it is you tend to eat where you can find a space, but let's look at the restaurant. The Dexter oxtail and Rioja soup is sufficiently intriguing to demand attention and not to be regretted. The pepper crusted dry aged fillet of Angus steak makes a worthy follower and the oven-baked Alaska was unmissable.

Down in the bar, provided you don't mind sharing it with the bear, a wide range of attractive and well-priced food is served, which many find every bit as good as upstairs. A very entertaining wine list and surroundings, which carry a satisfying buzz factor.