Merricks Restaurant at Cottrell Park

Set within the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan countryside, Merrick's restaurant at Cottrell Park Golf Resort is the perfect place for both golfers and non members to relax and unwind. Its warm and inviting interior will make you feel totally at home; a feature fireplace makes a beautiful focal point which, along with the exposed beams and wooden floor, lends the restaurant a cosseting feel.

This feeling of cosy familiarity is further enhanced by the menu, which features classic British dishes such as sausage and mash with onion gravy, and battered cod with chips and mushy peas. For those wanting a spicier option, the red Thai vegetable and coconut curry with rice, chips and mini poppadoms is a great choice. Not only is it beautifully presented, but it also bursts with flavour without being too overpowering. For those who like meat, the chicken and bacon melt is a sure-fire winner. Topped with mozzarella and served with sticky barbecue relish, it comes with a choice of chips, mash or a jacket potato. My recommendation would be the mash, which is so smooth and creamy it practically melts in your mouth. You'll also find a good range of side orders to complement your main meal: the onion rings are particularly tasty and the warm, crunchy baguette with butter makes a great addition to any dish; and with a price tag of just £1.25 each, you can afford to treat yourself, turning your meal into a real feast. Vegetarians are well catered for with a very comprehensive range of dishes such as the spinach and mascarpone lasagne or the impressive Stilton, peppered mushroom and onion suet pudding.

Fish lovers may well find themselves torn between the salmon and dill fishcakes or the traditional scampi and chips. From the dessert menu, the chocolate fudge cake is wickedly indulgent and a great way to complete any meal. All portion sizes are more than generous, and from Monday to Saturday main dishes are priced at £7.25, or two meals for £12.50. Why not treat the family to Sunday lunch for £6.75 from 12pm-4pm. After filling your belly adequately it is then time to relax with a creamy latte and soak up the atmosphere.

As of 2011, Cottrell Park has encompassed a redevelopment of theirs facilities, providing an even greater choice for their members. Golf simulators and snooker tables - not to mention a fleet of Segways - are all available on-hand to make your stay all the more pleasant. Alternatively relax next to the beautiful 'secret lake', where members can once again fish for free.

With friendly and helpful staff providing quick and efficient service you are guaranteed to feel welcome - nothing is too much trouble. So if you are looking for a relaxing venue in which to enjoy a good meal with free-range, local produce, Cottrell Park certainly ticks all the boxes.