The Bear in Hungerford is one of the oldest hotels in the country. Originating from the 13th Century it commands a central position in the town alongside the river. One of the first things we noted on our arrival was the hotel’s riverside seating area. With a waterwheel slowly turning in the background, it would be the perfect spot for a light lunch and refreshing drink on a summer’s day. The restaurant itself is stylishly decorated with original oak beams, crisp white tablecloths and a wooden floor, creating an air of elegance. Low-backed comfy chairs and subtle lighting make it a relaxing dining environment.

The menu features a multitude of delectable sounding dishes and I began with the ‘in-house’ starter of lightly-smoked slices of tuna served alongside a Cornish crab, tangy cucumber and lime salad. My guest had a generous serving of langoustine and prawn cocktail, presented in a tall glass with home-baked brown bread. We ate every morsel, while commenting on the surprising hit of chilli. I fancied something hearty for my main, so opted for calves liver and bacon with rosti and a wild mushroom with thyme sauce. This combination was rich in flavour and thoroughly satisfying, while the deeply fruity notes of an Argentinean pinot noir complemented the food perfectly. The line-caught black bream fillets that my guest ordered had a wonderfully crisp skin and were served on bubble and squeak with a lobster and fennel butter… naturally I couldn’t resist sticking my fork in for a taste.

We took a gastronomic pause before delving into desserts; a chocolate tart with raspberry ripple ice cream and toffee sauce, and a mouth-tingling passionfruit sorbet served in a tuille basket with lightly poached fruit. These two dishes rounded off our meal perfectly.

With wonderful country walks, local antique shops, fantastic fly fishing and horse racing at nearby Newbury, The Bear has plenty to keep you entertained on your visit and is the perfect venue to enjoy some fine local fare.