Head to the village of Nether Westcote and you will find a gastropub that surpasses all expectations and desires – The Feathered Nest Country Inn. Following a hefty refurbishment, The Feathered Nest reopened its doors in the springtime of 2010. As flowers bloomed and the weather brightened, so too did the fortunes of this former malthouse. These days the bar and restaurant areas are constantly abuzz with diners, drinkers and ever-busy staff. At this beautifully renovated establishment you will sample fantastic food, indulge in carefully selected tipples, and bear witness to a country pub that has all the trappings of being the best this region has to offer.

The restaurant prides itself on using mostly local and home-grown produce, all sourced from the nearby kitchen gardens. This allows the pub’s talented chefs to cook with pure and organic ingredients, creating modern English cuisine with oodles of flavour. From fresh fish to charcoal-grilled steaks, the menu caters to all tastes and preferences, changing frequently to include seasonal delights. The food, prepared by head chef Peter Eaton, promises to be of a high standard, offering not only fine dining, but also bar, light supper and lunch menus. At the epicentre of The Feathered Nest’s seismic food service lies a menu full of surprises. Classily arranged – starters are simply listed under ‘to begin’, mains under ‘to follow’ – the à la carte menu is streamlined so that only the finest dishes are included. To begin, the starters section features a superb compilation of game and seafood dishes. The Newlyn pot-caught crab with pink grapefruit and mango purée is a sweet variation on a popular appetiser, while the seared wood pigeon with radish, garden lovage and truffled violet potatoes is a rural delight. To follow, you will be overwhelmed by the mains that are on offer. Hearty meat dishes take precedence, and the likes of slow-roasted Gloucester Old Spot, aged Longhorn beef and seasonal Cornish lamb will all vie for your attention. Another dish worthy of mention is the kitchen’s fresh homemade tagliatelle, which lends proceedings a Mediterranean vibe.

Hotel facilities are another highly impressive facet of The Feathered Nest, and with four individually decorated rooms, each with en-suite facilities, flat-screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities and fluffy bathrobes, guests will have a harmonious overnight stay. With the River Evenlode flowing nearby, and countryside rolling out as far as the eye can see, you will find it difficult to check out from this tranquil retreat.

The Feathered Nest Country Inn is the perfect venue for those special occasions, from romantic dinners for two, to weddings and celebrations for larger parties held in panoramic gardens. This proud and jubilant establishment is a unique venue, at any time of the day or night. A celebration dinner, a bar snack, a pint or a cup of coffee – you choose.