Sun in the Wood, The

It is places like this that give country pubs a good name. Well run, close to a good country town yet in a rural setting it is a quality example of how things should be done and is therefore little wonder that it is a buzzy place, full of appreciative people, both customers and staff.

A woodland garden and heated decking terrace leave plenty of room to overflow on warm days and a play area for children and a newly constructed 9 hole crazy golf course keep everyone happy.

The serving of decent food is clearly a priority and starters on the a la carte menu could include home smoked duck breast salad with a tangy raspberry dressing, pan fried salmon and red pepper fishcake with lime and crab dressing, or homemade chicken liver and foie gras pate.

Main courses follow a largely traditional pattern with roast rump of lamb, poached natural smoked haddock on a bed of buttered mash topped with a poached egg, or fillet of pork oven baked in puff pastry with a fresh garden herb and mushroom pate.

Amongst the puddings expect to find dark chocolate tart with Belgian white chocolate ice cream, meringue Pavlova topped with fresh strawberries and clotted cream, or lemon curd cheesecake with fresh strawberries and cream.

For two years out of three they have won the Wadworth Wine Pub of the Year which probably leaves as irrelevant any comment on the wine list.