SUE SMITH and a pal head into the countryside for a delicious meal out... despite a menu mishap

WE had planned a trip to The Barbury Inn at Broad Hinton for several weeks so we were ever so slightly disappointed to arrive and find the meat van had failed to turn up that day.

“I am afraid there’s no lamb, chicken or steak,” said the waitress as we took our seats.

The unexpected happens, we get that, but it would have been helpful to have had a phone call so we could make the decision to re-arrange or go ahead anyway, regardless.

So there we were, in for a penny and there was no going back.

As it turned out it didn’t really matter a jot. What we did order was crackingly good.

A pressed gammon terrine for my friend to start with celeriac remoulade and salad leaves and toasted walnut loaf was beautifully presented and the combination of flavours was exquisite.

I opted for a starter of fish cakes of smoked haddock and Cornish prawns, which were perfectly crispy on the outside and melt in the mouth fresh and tasty on the inside.

My main course of the Normandy classic, moules mariniere with white wine and thick cream, absolutely tasted of the sea with every mouthful. I could easily have been sitting in some bistro on the water’s edge.

My companion went for the twice baked cheese soufflés, served with a fresh, zingy salad pepped up with little crunches of candied walnuts. Creamy, light and naughtily rich, it went down a treat.

There was a point where we thought perhaps the cutlery van hadn’t turned up either as we had to ask for the steak knives (no steak, remember) to be replaced with cutlery more suited to the dishes we had chosen.

But it really is churlish nit-picking as the food here is truly lovely and we decided that perhaps we had just caught the staff on a bad day. We all get them.

It would have been different if the food had not knocked our socks off, but it did and we were prepared to forgive anything two courses in.

And it wasn’t as if we weren’t spoilt for choice. Other options included smoked salmon rillettes with crème fraiche and capers, shallots and bread crisps as well as jig-caught Cornish squid with chilli mayonnaise.

The pub is on the edge of idyllic surroundings, in the stunning Wiltshire countryside within striking distance of Avebury, Devizes, Marlborough and Swindon.

The welcome is warm and hearty whether you arrive on two legs or four — dogs are equally at home here and there was one dining with its owners on the next table.

Deep red walls with green woodwork and the high-backed rattan-style chairs along with stripped back wooden floors and red and cream striped curtains create a cosy feel here. It’s a comfortable place to fall into after work.

We decided to share an artisan cheese board, which was ample for two and if we could have managed any more we could have gone for blackberry and apple crumble, a warm chocolate tart, a selection of ice-creams or the irresistible Eton Mess... We might just have to go back.

The Monkees were singing I’m a Believer on the sound system and by the time we were ready to leave we were both definite believers in this place.

The Barbury Inn
Broad Hinton
Swindon SN4 9PF
01793 731510
thebarburyinn.co.uk

Parking: Yes
Disabled access: Yes

Our ratings:
Food: 8/10
Choice: 6/10
Decor: 7/10
Customer service: 6/10
Main Course prices: £11-£13
TripAdvisor rating: 4.5/5