RestaurantsBerkshireNewburyRG20

survey result

Summary

£95
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“I was expecting rather standard Home Counties fare, but instead I found delicious cooking and charming service all in an attractive barn-style setting”: this successful ten-year-old – a restored ‘run-down pub’ in West Berkshire countryside – boasts a “very lovely”, high-ceilinged contemporary dining extension and has become one of the most commented-on restaurants in our annual diners’ poll. Run by Alastair Storey (a top catering CEO), reporters are “delighted and frankly a bit surprised by the excellence of the experience” and – unusually for a rural venue – its “ambience and level of quiet formality make it a place in which you’d be happy to do business”. Its scores slipped a fraction this year though, on the back of some incidents of “mechanical” service (“in the old-style, fancy-restaurant way)” or the odd “ordinary” meal (“we have had better here”).

Summary

£84
 ££££
4
Very Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“A most sophisticated dining experience in charming surroundings” has established this “barn-like” eatery, converted from a restored seventeenth century farm and former pub in West Berkshire, as one of the most commented-on restaurants in our annual diners’ poll. And – unusually for a rural spot – the professionalism of its approach (the owner is top catering CEO, Alastair Storey) means it’s often tipped for business meetings as well as being “an ideal place for meeting friends”. Chef Peter Eaton’s cuisine makes “excellent use of native ingredients” with “confident” cooking that’s “always beautifully presented and full of flavour”, while “service is always attentive and interested in you”. “Always charming, and deservedly always full!". Top Tip – “set lunch menu is very good value but rather limited in choice”.

Summary

£63
  £££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Consistently good in everything it does” – this restored seventeenth-century farm and former pub in West Berkshire is nowadays one of the most commented-on restaurants in our annual diners’ survey (there’s also a cookery school) and it’s cited by fans for its “London quality levels outside London” (the deep-pocketed owner is top catering CEO, Alastair Storey). Despite the departure of founding chef John Campbell in 2020, new executive chef Peter Eaton (who has also been on the team since it opened) has maintained level ratings for cuisine that’s “classy without being OTT”. The stylish and airy space (with a distinctive, ribbed-wood roof) opens onto a large terrace that enjoys sweeping views over the local countryside.

Summary

£63
  £££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Set in rural Berkshire with stunning views”, John Campbell’s accoladed venue “sounds like it should be a pub, but is in reality a skilled and soignée restaurant”: “thoughtfully designed”, with an “airy”, “modern” interior that “opens onto a large terrace”. “The cooking is very good” from an “interesting and changing menu” of “original yet reassuring dishes”, “beautifully presented, and skilfully and charmingly served”. Top Tip – “good for a sophisticated supper before the theatre at the nearby Watermill”.

For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at The Woodspeen?

Restaurant details

Entertainments,Highchair,Menu,Portions
Yes
16
No dress code

The Woodspeen Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of The Woodspeen Restaurant in RG20, Newbury by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of The Woodspeen restaurant.
Ashley d
Despite losing its Michelin star, standards...
Reviewed 3 months, 25 days ago

"Despite losing its Michelin star, standards at the Woodspeen remain very high. Prices, as elsewhere, have risen this year but you still feel that you get value for money, especially for the set lunch. They also offer unusual wines at good prices. Overall a very enjoyable experience"

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Mike W
Second visit in just over a year. I did n...
Reviewed 7 months, 25 days ago

"Second visit in just over a year. I did not like it the first time but the chance of a rainy day in Newbury led to a second visit. All I can say is that it was better than last time but it is nowhere near as good as other diners seem to suggest. The smoked salmon starter had a soft piece of bread as a base - providing an over soft texture. The fish cooking was odd last time and odd this time. It seems to be reliant on the sous vide. The halibut had an over mushy texture."

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Vivien L
Good restaurant choices. The home made brea...
Reviewed 11 months, 20 days ago

"Good restaurant choices. The home made bread was ro die for. Fun to watch the chefs preparing the food"

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Prices

Availability 2 courses 3 courses coffee included service included
Lunch £32.00 £38.00
Pretheatre £32.00 £38.00

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£16.00 £34.50 £5.00 £14.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £25.00
Filter Coffee £4.00
Extras  
Bread £0.00
Service 10.00%
Lambourn Rd, Newbury, RG20 8BN
Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
Tuesday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm
Thursday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm
Friday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm
Saturday12 pm‑9:30 pm
Sunday12 pm‑5 pm

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