The Chequers Inn, Fingest, Henley-On-Thames

Official site of The Chequers Inn - thechequersfingest.co.uk

Official site of The Chequers Inn - thechequersfingest.co.uk

A characterful brick building opposite the village church shaded by the trees that line the churchyard under the auspices of Brakspear. The bar is opposite the front door on entry with little space between the two, with the bar area to the left and an area to the right for bar dining: each area has a fireplace (both pleasingly ablaze during my February evening visit) with a specific dining area housed in an extension accessed via the right-hand area, and an alcove in the right-hand corner next to the fireplace houses racks of wine, which gives the impression that dining is the main draw here. The rest of the internal style comprises a wooded bar, a floor with a mix of tiles, carpet and bar boards, and exposed beams and cream-painted walls. The two ales available were Brakspear Bitter and Brakspear Jerusalem - a rugby-themed special - with two further pumps unclipped. I'm not generally a fan of Brakspear beers, but the Jerusalem was in excellent shape. This is a decent stop-off and makes for one of a number of walkable pubs in this picturesque area of the Chilterns.