The Abbots Mitre, Chilbolton, Stockbridge

A food led Victorian pub that I found to be a little too prim and proper,the opened out interior, into three areas,seemed just a little too tidy and corparate for my liking despite the front area being set more as a pub. It was very popular on my visit with seemingly a MG Club meeting going by the nine or Ten automotive examples in the car park. Five handpumps with a choice of three, all localish stuff, Flack Manor Double Drop, Andwells King John and Bowmans Swift One. Nice enough here but not really my thing.

This impressive Victorian house was built on the site of the former village blacksmith's forge and is now a freehouse village pub. It also has a well-deserved reputation for its food. There is a large carpark – actually the largest parking area in the village – and a sloping lawn at the back. Most of the ground floor is set up as a restaurant, although the front area is still very much a pub with wooden floors, a dartboard and a collection of tables and chairs for drinkers and those who want to enjoy the excellent bar snacks on offer. The staff are friendly, the clientele civilised. There were 5 handpumps on the bar, one of which had a sign saying it was waiting for the beer to clear, the rest serving 4 different ales. I had a pint of Three Castles's Saxon which was in perfect condition. The only thing that lets the pub down is its prices which are a bit high even bearing in mind the high quality of the food. Well worth visiting for its food, drink and ambience.