Breaking news
Harden's survey result
Summary
“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”.
Summary
“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”.
Summary
John Campbell’s “open and airy” modernised ex-pub not far from Newbury “has great interior design”, sits in a “delightful countryside location” and is establishing itself as a major destination, especially considering that “it’s in the middle of nowhere”. It offers “an excellent all-round experience” with “clever, but not too clever food that’s skilfully cooked and good value”; “outstanding cocktails (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic)”; and “superb wine” (with “unusual options from countries such as Turkey”).
Summary
“Exceptional cuisine from John Campbell and his team” (“their passion shines through”) wins the highest praise for this modernised ex-pub “tucked-away a few miles from Newbury” and “certainly worth the drive”. “Service is very effective and charming too – everyone smiles! – and the unique design of the building (with its striking high ceiling) and the surroundings make for a very elegant and pleasant experience”.
For 30 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
The Woodspeen Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Eat outside for the first time, food was as fantastic as normal. Attentive service, a delightful lunch"
"Our first meal out in six months, since the onset of the “pandemic” in fact - and a very successful lunch it was, too, full of flavour and a plethora of tastes and textures in a restaurant full of light with an outside aspect to a pleasant garden, proper yet friendly service, and, once again, a dining experience that put the other one-star place in the neighbourhood completely in the shade with the quality of the cooking, the pleasant atmosphere in the dining room and the level of service."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £26.00 | £30.00 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £29.00 | £19.00 | £10.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £19.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Lambourn Rd, Newbury, RG20 8BN
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑4:15pm |
Best British, Modern restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Stockcross
British, Modern restaurant in Newbury
British, Modern restaurant in Hungerford
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
Game restaurant in Frilsham
British, Modern restaurant in Baughurst
British, Traditional restaurant in Goring-on-Thames
