A nearby castle and a grade-II-listed clock tower make the Waldegrave Arms' location in the ancient village of East Harptree as close to idyllic as possible. Enter a whimsical world - murmuring fire, exposed stonework adorned with trinkets, copper kettles, gilded mirrors, drapes and fairy lights create a quirkiness befitting a 14th- Century inn. Passing up a starter menu proffering some tempting dishes, such as calamari and sautéed scallops, my partner and I plumped for Camembert to share from the specials board. Melted, creamy cheese arrived on a rustic wooden board, also supporting a tower of toasted granary and garlic bread drizzled with balsamic. This was followed by chicken breast glazed with goat's cheese, roasted peppers and olives in a honey and mustard sauce and fillet of steak with Stilton and a duo of red wine and horseradish cream sauces - plates full of flavour. Wind down the country lanes to experience this family-run establishment and you won't be disappointed.
British
0.5 miles
