The Countryman

This place was an absolute godsend!
Gorgeous setting, friendly staff and OMG food!!!
We were staying nearby and had researched this place on Tripadvisor so knew the locality to the hotel had v little to offer.
We booked a table on Saturday afternoon for dinner Saturday evening 8pm.
We battled the snow for the short drive and loved the initial view of the pub from the road. We received a warm greeting from the Landlord Rob and felt like we’d stepped back in time.
They had a roaring fire on and a very busy dining area with delightful smells wafting our way.
There was a good choice of hand pull beer and lager and the staff were actually stood polishing the glasses!
We sat in the bar area while our table came free and exchanged a bit of chat with the landlord and locals.
The décor is very sympathetic to the original footprint of the building and its not trying to be anything but a good local pub offering good food– something they are getting wonderfully right!
We had been given the menu to browse over while waiting and the choice of food on offer on the menu and from the ‘specials blackboard’ was a sight to behold.
We were seated and had finally made our choice : —
Rabbit ‘pasty’ and Pheasant for Mr
Haddock goujons & Shin of beef for me
The service was second to non and the food was wonderful.
The ‘pasty’ was packed full of rabbit and the pastry very nicely cooked
The haddock was a good solid fillet with very light tasty batter
The Pheasant was cooked to perfection and served in a cream sauce and my Shin of beef was a delight. Served with plenty of veg and a creamy mash I left v little on the plate.
We had a look at the dessert menu (well, it’s rude not to!) and just had to polish the meal off with one each.
Mr had Chocolate parfait & I the good old reliable Sticky Toffee Pudding! Again, faultless!
We were not rushed in the slightest and the staff were attentive while giving us plenty of time.
All the food provided out to the other diners was superb looking and I’d say 99% of plates were cleared!
We returned back for lunch on the Sunday and I had Lamb Sunday lunch and the Mr Duck breasts, again, all super!
The only criticism for this place is too much choice! That, and the way the dining area is laid out there is one area where you cannot see the great ‘blackboard’ menu and may feel a little out of the way.
If you are ever in the area, definitely go as the greeting, setting and food are second to none!

Incredibly friendly owner Made my party of 15 feel very welcome. The draft ales were good (ubu), wine was a good selection and the food was great. I will say that if they say that something is spicy or contains chilli, they really mean it!
Great country pub with nice atmosphere for anyone who needs a little escape from the confines of Staverton Park if they’re on an extended conference or training session!

Took a punt on this pub, it looked nice but sadly for me had no proper cider, only Olde English (bleh). Still it was a lovely day and there was an excellent view across the main road so decided to order food. I had chicken carbonara which was £8.95 and arrived warm to tepid so I had to eat quickly. Luckily it was incredibly tasty, laden with chicken, bacon and a superb sauce. I would have given this place 5 unhesitatingly if it had been hot and they had had even Stowford Press or Thatcher’s Gold. As it is, a solid 4.