The Queen's Head, Marlow

The emphasis is on food here (expect to be asked for "anything else" after you've ordered and been served your drink) but this has a fully-functioning beer in front and to the right as you enter and there was a clutch of after-work locals having the odd beer or two in what is a clearly delineated area from the dining room out back - I'd say the split is pretty much 50/50. Ivy-clad and leafy, it's off one of the couple of roads in Little Marlow and almost overlooked by the tall trees which hem in the car park. Three ales on comprising Sharp's Doom Bar, Fuller's London Pride and Rebellion IPA (the latter £4 and good). There's obviously a viable drinking trade here at the moment with the current closure of the nearby Kings Head, so they appear to be making the effort at least.

The Queens Head is really delightfully looking Ivy Clad stone walled sixteenth century country pub which internally retains the original wooden beams and fireplace. Primarily this place is a restaurant, which can be seen from the web site , which exonerates its extensive food menu’s and wine list and doesn’t make any mention to whether it serves beer. Fortunately it does (or did on my last visit in summer, from which I haven’t been back as I’m still paying off the loan I took out for this visit), as there are two hand pumps on the bar and I remember there being Mad Goose from the Purity Brewing Co as a guest. Internally its one large space subdivided into three sections, all set up for dining. There is a small area to stand up the bar, but frankly drinkers are not made to feel welcome, and if all you’re after is a pint, then it is best to visit in summer when you can utilise the pleasant garden area, or walk the extra distance to the nearby Kings Head. The food menu’s are extensive, but even the cheapest main on the Dinner menu weighs in over £12 and I ‘d rather not spend almost £6 on a baguette at lunchtime. But on the couple of times I have eaten here the quality is very very good, just be prepared to be surrounded by businessmen on expenses and the more pretentious local retired folk who own large piles within sniffing distance of the nearby Thames... No rating left as, IMHO , this is a restaurant.

Official site of the Queen's Head, contains menus and wine list - www.marlowslittlesecret.co.uk

Official site of the Queen's Head, contains menus and wine list - www.marlowslittlesecret.co.uk