Colston Bassett Restaurant Guide

A “wonderfully atmospheric place, with idiosyncratic but comfortably plush surroundings” that was born when founder, the late Imogen Skirving, decided to open the doors to her family home three decades back. This country house oasis is now run by her granddaughter Lila Arora, with chef Gary Booth continuing their longtime focus on locally sourced produce, from Belvoir game to “truly delicious soufflés of the savoury and sweet variety”. Further praise this year for the “professional yet friendly service” – clearly this “quirky place knows what it’s doing” after all these years.

Chef Richard Stevens grew up on the farm housing this cosily lit barn – complete with corrugated iron roof – which since September 2022 has become an ambitious venue for sampling his 20-course tasting-menu for £120 per person, with service from his wife Grace. Our reporters all rate it highly – “a proper hidden gem with a stunning location and setting with brilliant food and team”, although it skipped our highest rating due to the odd quibble (“I understand everything is local but just felt the prices were high in relation to the portions”). Certainly the Sunday Times’s Charlotte Ivers is a fan – in her November 2024 review she declared herself “in love – utterly enthralled” with a “magic” meal “you’ll remember forever”.

“Owned by ex-England cricketer Stuart Broad, this country pub has hit a rich seam of form with its “great vibe”, “interesting menu of well-cooked food” and “super Sunday lunch”. It’s also enjoying a second innings, having been refurbished to the tune of £1.3 million following a disastrous fire in 2022.