ReviewMarshfield is a quaint, picturesque little village with some lovely buildings, so I had high hopes of something special from this pub which sits proudly at one end of the High Street. Unfortunately, the interior didn't quite live up to these expectations. The entrance leads straight to the bar, with the locals sat in a cosy looking area to the right, whilst a more open section to the left is dominated by a central fireplace. The walls are mostly bare and the place felt a little empty and cold.
I visited on New Year's Day for lunch and we were shown to one of three rooms to the rear of the building, each seemingly used for diners. Our room had white brick walls and floor as well as some equipment for serving a carvery, although this wasn't in use. The menu was good, showcasing a lot of local produce and was complimented by a good specials board. I tried the pork and chorizo pie which was very filling and others in our group were very impressed with the bangers and mash from nearby Nailey Farm. Mains were around the £10 mark (a little more for the steaks) and I thought it was pretty good value for money.
There were three ales available - Bath Gem, Sharp's Doom Bar and Courage Best. The Bath Gem was in excellent condition and our party sank a fair few of them before leaving very content.
I thought this could be an excellent pub if it had a bit more character and warmth, as they are certainly on to a winner with their food and drink. I'd recommend it for a meal, but I'm not sure if I'd like this to be my local.
