The Jolly Farmer is a pretty village pub. It’s located on stunning local nature reserve Whitmoor Common, so is a popular stopping point for weekend walkers and ramblers.

An olde-worlde atmosphere will envelop you the moment you walk through the door. Low beams, a number of quaint and cosy alcoves and different styles from one room to the next all combine to create an intimate atmosphere that will leave you feeling right at home. Outside there is a covered seating area, where you can enjoy the fresh winter evenings as long as you’re tucked under one of the many heaters, and a large garden to make use of in summer.

The pub sources fresh ingredients for all dishes, buying meat from a local Pirbright butcher. On our visit, the daily specials included pan-fried salmon and lamb rump with cauliflower and redcurrant gravy. I opted for a delicious leek and ham pie served with cauliflower cheese and mustard mash, after passing up other delights such as bubble and squeak, the Jolly burger with bacon and Cheddar, and locally sourced Port sausages. Loved-up couples can really set the mood by enjoying a sumptuous sharing platter. The dessert selection offered just as much choice – do I have lemon tart, Black Forest gateau, a Jolly Mess or something from the large selection of ice creams and sorbets?

As a Fuller’s pub, The Jolly Farmer’s beer is as fine as the food and there’s a well-chosen wine list. This gem is definitely on my ‘visit again’ list.