Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

The Bushel and Strike is a lovely old pub that fits perfectly into the rural setting of Ashwell in Hertfordshire. It has a delightful garden, with a barbecue area in the shadow of the village church. The bar has wooden flooring and leather sofas with an intriguing display of photographs capturing the spirit of yesteryears.

They serve delicious food in comfortable surroundings. Ploughman's lunches and sandwiches are also available. The Bushel and Strike is a Youngs and Wells house, so you will find Youngs Special and IPA, Bombardier, Eagle, Adnams Broadside, and a guest beer apart from a range of lagers and bottled beers.

Located within the quiet village of Fowlmere, The Chequers Inn has retained its old world charm within its oak beamed and exposed brick walled interior. On a sunny day there's nothing better that sitting out in the beautiful garden and sipping on a drink as you peruse the menu; alternatively you could consider relaxing over a meal at the conservatory.

The menu keeps diners busy with its interesting variety of starters such as venison carpaccio with a rocket and Parmesan salad finished with olive oil and game pâté served with homemade spicy pear chutney and toasted brioche. For main courses a pan-fried Gloucester Old Spot pork escalope is delivered with stir-fried cabbage and pancetta topped with sage butter served with a potato rösti and veal jus, and a featherblade of beef braised in a Portobello mushroom red wine and thyme sauce arrives with bubble and squeak and char-grilled leeks.

Situated in one of the most idyllic positions in England, Sheene Mill is believed to be one of the most fashionable restaurants outside London and a top wedding venue in the UK, with facilities for up to 160 guests, and their own wedding licence. The design of their nine ensuite bedrooms is the right blend of comfort and character with original features and views of the hotel grounds.

On sunny days head to the garden to enjoy a delicious meal from the daily changing carte that could feature spicy duck pancakes with oriental plum dip, roast saddle of wild venison or mocha pannacotta with rum sauce. The bar represents a feeling of open space and leads out to the conservatory where the mill pond forms a perfect backdrop whilst you unwind with the family.

Sheene Mill is also an ideal base to explore the architectural wonder that is Cambridge or from which to visit the surrounding areas for that much-needed break, a celebration or a trip to the races.