The Windmill is one of the time-honoured bastions of Windlesham's pub culture, dating back to 1892 when it was owned by a brewery in Staines. Even the location can't come better than this, with several attractions such as Legoland, Windsor Castle and Thorpe Park just a short drive away, this is an ideal base for those looking for a short getaway over the weekend. Its façade is a fine example of 18th century craftsmanship, and inside it manages to strike the right balance between homely and smart.

There is a laid-back, rustic feel to the décor and much thought has gone into the details: pastel shaded walls, large windows that allow a profusion of sunlight, wicker furniture and low-beamed ceilings. The bar is a cosy hideaway with an open fire, contemporary-chic mismatched furniture, great fabrics and colours and fascinating artefacts dotting the place. With the hum of happy diners, it's a perfect setting for a long lunch with friends or the family, or just about any occasion that warrants a celebration around food and drink.

To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, box baked Camembert with red onion jam and rustic bread and Greek mezze of taramasalata with red pepper hummus, tzatziki, feta and flatbreads.

Amongst the starters, there is freshly made soup, smoked mackerel pâté, seared pigeon breast, or a red onion tart. The salads - sorry, that should read 'leaves' - offer Persian chicken kebabs, fattoush salad, yoghurt and mint dressing, and for the seafood fiends some smoked trout, prawn, pancetta, creamy lemon dressing, watercress and spinach. Pastas include rigatoni, pork, veal and oregano meatballs with arrabiata sauce, and bucatini with tiger prawns, crab, chilli, tomato and parsley.

Flatbreads are supplied with an abundance of toppings such as caramelised onions, goats' cheese and dressed leaves; spit chicken, bacon, tomato and blue cheese, and chorizo, chilli, rocket, mozzarella and tomato.

For the big event, there is always a chicken scallopini or rib eye steak. The calves' liver with pancetta mash, crispy onions and Marsala is worth trying too. The classic burger, which has risen from the confines of fast food chains, carves a niche for itself on the menu and comes with onion, gherkin, mustard mayo, cheese and bacon. For hearty eaters there is a five spice duck confit, or lamb rack with a spiced dukkah crust.

A wide range of supporting dishes includes Belgian frites and mayo, and cabbage, leeks and peas. Desserts are some of the best you?ll encounter with apple and frangipane gallette and Cognac ice cream, and there is also a selection of local cheeses to set the buffs alight.

Their wine list contains well-known favourites, alongside little numbers from around the world.

More information, including full menus, is available on their Website.