The Five Horseshoes

There's every chance of seeing red kites wheeling around above this 16th-century, brick and flint pub overlooking the Chiltern Hills. Its two snug bar areas are characterised by beams, wrought iron, brasswork, open fires, traditional pub games and Brakspear's real ales on the hand-pumps. To dine in the large conservatory restaurant is to enjoy an approach to traditional English dishes that often involves tweaking them to intensify the flavours, thus a menu typically begins with Cornish oysters and Bloody Mary sorbet; and whole baked camembert stuffed with almonds and rosemary. Of appeal to follow might be a main course of roast haunch of muntjac venison; herb-crusted fillet of wild sea bass; goat's cheese and ratatouille ravioli; or even a Chateaubriand for two. Pub classics include beer-battered haddock and chips and doorstep sandwiches. Dogs are welcome in the bar and two large beer gardens, the location for summer weekend barbecues and bank holiday hog roasts.