This is an immaculate country pub: super swish, modernity transposed neatly into the old. Very much a London-by-Cotswolds place rather than an old fashioned rural boozer. And so it’s perfect for weekenders in search of Jeremy Clarkson’s lager, Hawkstone, sausages with mustard, and locally made sourdough bread, available doused lovingly in pork dripping.
Service is slick here, staff move quickly on the old stone floors, flitting between wooden tables at which the Range Rover set discuss the matters of the day: Lily Allen’s divorce, independent schools and plans for Courchevel.
All this being said, it’s not deploringly expensive. Snaffle a superb steak and ale pie for little over £20; enjoy anchovies on toast or a pork pie for about a fiver. There’s wine, cocktails too. Possibly your best bet above all would be to unwind with a bottle of sparkling perry and to dive head first into a classic ploughman's. Hard graft indeed.
Barnsley, Cirencester GL7 5EF, thevillagepub.co.uk
