The Queen's Head Inn

Head to the red-brick Queen's Head for a fine pint of Adnams beer and some rather nifty food. It's located in a pretty village with a history that is full of drama (witchfinding trials for example), and the old pub is looking pretty spruce these days under the patronage of Alan Randall. There's plenty of character inside with a somewhat smart contemporary feel from the use of neutral, natural colours and light-wood furniture. The cooking takes a relatively traditional standpoint during the day, but in the evening the menu shifts up a gear and delivers some ambitious, exciting stuff. Mushroom ravioli, for example, with braised oxtail, pickled mushrooms and shallot purée is a thoroughly modish first course, followed perhaps by venison shepherd's pie with wilted greens, or a vegetarian dish of fricassée of golden beetroot, pak choi, Russet apples and parmesan cream.