The Pony & Trap, Bristol

A pleasant and traditional looking country pub just outside Chew Magna, the beer garden makes the most of the outlook with great views over the rolling countryside. Inside the traditional look continues, although the focus here is nowadays very much on the food with renowned local chef Josh Eggleton at the helm who has held a Michelin star for the last three years, and in fact the pub was recently voted the third best gastro-pub in the country. Although the website says that farmers still pop in for a pint, in practice the vast majority of the tables were laid up for food, and I don’t think there was anyone there who was not eating when we visited. The bar area at the front of the pub has parquet wood flooring at either end with some quarry tiling in the middle. There is dark green wood panelling on the lower part of the walls with cream plasterwork above, and exposed stonework in a couple of places. A fire-place was down at the far end with a few horse brasses dotted around and a Chesterfield armchair or two. Various earthenware jugs were on the window sills and a row of pewter tankards hung above the bar. A few black and white photographs were dotted around showing either the pub or other country scenes. A small alcove at the rear had whitewashed stone walls and one large table and beyond this is a small extension used as a restaurant which has a much more contemporary feel with a large arched window overlooking the garden. Food wise, the menu is several steps above your usual pub grub as would be expected, although there was still the option of a burger and chips at £12.50. Other than that, most of the main courses were in the £18 - £20 range which is actually quite reasonable for a Michelin starred restaurant, and we thoroughly enjoyed everything that we had. Beers on tap were Butcombe and the seasonal Crimson King from the same brewery. A third pump appeared unused, whilst the solitary cider was Aston Press. Overall I really liked this pub with it’s picturesque setting, traditional, cosy ambience, really friendly staff and great food. But then again, I appreciate it may not be “pubby” enough for some.