White Horse, Welwyn

Eloquently described by Steve below, this offered just McMullen's Country Bitter and IPA on four pumps, two of which were out of action from its square-shaped bar. Woody, with dining on a lower level out back and a semi-large beer garden, with kids playground off to the left (and tree-lined deep pond almost centre-stage) it's an 'eyes-in-the-back-of-the-head' job for any parent. Aimed at the well-heeled and predominantly populated by them on my visit, the ambience (complete with nice, barely-discernable muzak) was a little ruined by the apathy and bad language of the young serving staff. Loud, colourful language is no mainstay of customer service and the word 'ask' is not pronounced 'arks'. Pay peanuts I guess, etc.

Official site of the White Horse, includes menus and wine list - www.whitehorseburnhamgreen.com

Official site of the White Horse, includes menus and wine list - www.whitehorseburnhamgreen.com

Official page of the White Horse in Burnham Green, contains menu - www.mcmullens.co.uk

The Mcmullens website describes the White Horse as such. "After a careful and considerate refurbishment, this restaurant and pub offers a special dining experience – great food, fabulous wine and our own locally brewed beer, all served in a comfortable and stylish setting." What this translates to is - Take a country pub, send in the interior design team, and turn it into a restaurant that closer resembles an Islington Gastro pub. But who am I to complain if that's what it takes to keep these village pubs open and trading. Initially we took the opportunity to utilise this place for a mid way stop when doing a circular walk in the area and have since been back to try the "special dining experience". The interior is now one of McMullens modern clean light wood makeovers, but workw well for the type of place it now is. The multi split level restaurant section at the back (one dining area sunk below the bar and then a mezanine section above reached by a wooden staircase ) works well and fits in with the two spacious drinking areas either side of the central bar, which are pleasant enough with all the light wood beams and comfy seating. Couple of McMullen Cask Ales on (Cask and IPA) and both were kept well. No AK though as the barman confirmed they don't have the trade for it and it kept going off. The beer and food are pricey for a Hertfordshire Village (£20 to £25 a head for 2 courses) and was more in keeping with an establishment in N1 but couldn't fault it for quality and they had a lunchtime soup and sandwich deal for a fiver which was very good. So in conclusion, a smart , food orientated pub which we found perfectly fine. Not sure I'd choose to use it as a local if I lived in the village, but a good one for a drive out from North London.

Official page of the White Horse in Burnham Green, contains menu - www.mcmullens.co.uk