Once the squire's residence on the Colston Bassett Estate, and turned into an alehouse by the Martin family in 1690, this splendid white-painted village hostelry is now one of the most stylish pub/restaurants in the Shires. Its current owners have furnished the place with thoughtfulness and good taste: every detail seems exactly right.

A Jacobean fireplace from Colston Bassett Hall is the pub's crowing glory, and elsewhere the emphasis is on gentrified 'country living' décor – scatter cushions on upholstered seats, long curtains at the windows, hunting prints on the walls. The bar menu reflects the abundance of regional specialities in these parts: Melton Mowbray pork pies and premier-league Colston Bassett Stilton are both on show, alongside dishes like balsamic-braised pork belly with pak choi greens or monkfish, haricot bean and fennel stew.

More ambitious food is available in the antique furnished restaurant, where the weekly changing menu might offer dishes like rump of lamb wrapped in bacon with fondant potato and Puy lentils, followed by desserts such as chocolate and orange soufflé cake or raspberry and Mascarpone shortbread with stem ginger. The food is pointed up with some extremely useful wine recommendations. Outside is an expansive garden with a croquet lawn and pleasing views of National Trust parkland.

Rate this Restaurant

Modern British / Gastro pub

Lunch: 12.00 - 2.00pm (2.30pm Sun)
Dinner: 6.00 - 10.00pm Mon-Sat

Visa, Master Card, American Express

• Alfresco dining
• Disabled access
• Private parties
• Family Friendly

Private parking is possible at a location nearby