Black Bull Balsham

This thatched pub with rooms, set back from the road, offers good food in a relaxing setting.

Expect old wooden beams, an inglenook fireplace and skittles alley. On the food front, you can eat in one of the scattered bars, or slightly more formally in the dedicated dining area to the rear.

A concise men is backed up by daily specials displayed on a blackboard, and while browsing you'll be brought a basket of good bread with balsamic dunking oil.

A summer menu listed 'Deep-Fried Breaded Goats Cheese with Parma Ham & Apple Chutney'; 'Fishcakes with Rocket & Parmesan Salad and Lemon Mayonnaise'; 'Sautéed Chicken Livers with Confit Onions' and 'Crayfish Salad with Seafood Sauce' among the starters.

With 'Ale-Battered Cod with Hand-Cut Chips, Tartare Sauce & Peas'; 'Cheese Burger with Spiced Aubergine Chutney, Hand-Cut Chips & Colesalaw'; 'Mushroom & Stilton Gratin with Creamed Leeks, Green Beans & New Potatoes'; 'Sea Bass & Seared Squid with Ratatouille' and 'Slow-Roast Pork Belly with Bubble & Squeak, Braised Red Cabbage & Red Wine Sauce' listed amongst the mains.

Desserts are attractively-presented, with perhaps 'Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream & Butterscotch Sauce'; 'Rich Chocolate Torte with Cream' and 'Banana Parfait with Praline & Star Anise Syrup' there to tempt you.

Service is friendly and helpful, but if you're in a hurry, it's worth mentioning this when ordering.