Located in a former barn at Blindley Heath, a pleasant part of rural Surrey, The Red Barn is redolent of country and an easier pace, where the monthly farmers' market meets, a wide range of community garden parties are held, tasting events and cooking lessons, as well as sport events grip the imagination and Sunday Roasts are an institution.

One of John Clevely's masterly wine lists keeps abreast of the game and what is described as a "range of weird and wonderful beers" takes care of the inevitable thirst that must occur amidst all this activity. After all, shopping in a market can be a very thirst provoking occasion.

The menus are veritable habitats of delight and from Monday to Thursday a simple menu with some real brasserie style favourites holds sway between 5.30 and 7 pm. There's shepherd's pie with a creamy, cheesy mash top, and Savoy cabbage. Cumberland sausages and mash are served with caramelised onions, casserole of the day with chunky fresh bread. Backed up by say steamed syrup sponge and custard a man could last comfortably for 24 hours on this sort of tucker.

The Week Menu is a riot of dishes that all have instant eye appeal and if nothing else serve to set the juices flowing as one contemplates the relative merits of belly of Gloucester Old Spot with mustard mash, greens and cider gravy as against roast rib of Sussex beef for 2 to share, with triple cooked chips, pepper sauce and tomato salad, or smoked haddock kedgeree with curried sauce and a poached egg.

Meanwhile, direct from the Aga, that mainstay of country kitchens everywhere, there's slow cooked lamb shank with a root vegetable and white bean casserole. In season look for local game casserole with pheasant rabbit and partridge, creamy mash and red cabbage. Side orders yield homemade chips with sea salt, braised red cabbage and French fries.

Smaller dishes can be taken on their own or as starters and include smoked mackerel pate, melba toasts and caper relish, or a salad of maple cured bacon and roasted chicken with toasted walnuts and croutons. Can providence bring any more delights, yes, it can and if cherry and almond tart with cinnamon ice cream doesn't do it for you there are plenty more options of which dark chocolate fondue to share, marshmallows, strawberries and banana is but one. And, of course, a decent British cheese board with chutney and biscuits.

Based where they are there is plenty of demand for private hire, and The Red Barn is blessed with a wide variety of areas that can be hived off to accommodate parties of all sizes. For very large parties the marquee option is ever present. Be it a buffet, 4 course dinner or fantastic hog roast, give them a spec and just leave it to them.

Their cheerful Website will tell you all about the current menus, forthcoming events as well as the local gossip. This is a fun and friendly place that invites attention.