The Cricketers

Rural Essex is pretty. Take Clavering, for example, and you'll see what a large part of the county is like - lovely villages with thatched cottages, winding lanes, extensive woodland and rich arable farmland. The Cricketers (the pitch is just down the road) has served the local community for the best part of 500 years; all the signs are here - the beams, a forest of wooden pillars, old fireplaces with winter log fires, while outside a wisteria surrounds the door and tables dot a rose-fringed garden. Tastefully appointed, this relaxing dining pub offers customers seasonally changing menus and daily chalkboard specials, with dishes expertly prepared by head chef Justin Greig and his team. Meats are properly hung, the fish is always fresh, and local, organic produce is used wherever possible. Jamie Oliver, son of landlords Trevor and Sally (now over 30 years here), supplies the pub with seasonal vegetables, herbs and salads from his certified organic garden that is nearby. Begin with an English classics plank, which is a handmade pork pie with crackling, quail Scotch egg, Suffolk Gold cheese, green tomato chutney and piccalilli. A main course salad or pasta dish might follow, or you could try sautéed lambs' kidneys and bacon with bubble and squeak and red wine jus; a fish or seafood daily special; or roasted squash and spinach lasagne. There's always a Sunday roast, and children are particularly welcome as their own small menu testifies. The extensive wine list changes regularly and features some excellent house wines; there's also a popular Connoisseurs' Selection. Beers are mostly East Anglian and the cider is from Aspalls.