The Inn at Freshford

(01225) 722250

The Inn at Freshford enjoys a wonderful setting, overlooking the floodplain of the Frome and Avon rivers.

It is a favourite with walkers and details of pleasant riverside strolls are given in the pub, complete with maps.

It built up a reputation for food and was also a favourite with passengers using the little local rail station, who, two years ago, voted it as having the best food in the area.

But it seems that some of the locals felt pushed out and The Inn now has a new manager who is aiming to win the locals back.

It has a special locals’ night on Fridays, when classic bar food and old favourites are on offer, along with a specials board under the slogan Your Local is Back, Please do Pop Inn.

The pub’s own newsletter says it appreciates that all people want from The Inn is “a fantastic atmosphere in which to meet friends and family.”

When my 91-year-old mother and I popped in one lunchtime to check it out, we certainly got a very warm welcome. The waitress was extremely chatty and couldn’t have been more helpful.

The atmosphere was pleasant, and several other groups were enjoying a leisurely lunch.

We took advantage of a £10 for two courses lunch offer, opting to go for a starter and main rather than main and pudding.

I had the soup of the day, which was celery and came with a nice bread roll and, more surprisingly, with a salad. But I am very fond of salad so ate it all up.

My mother had a generous portion of pate, which came with the usual salad and toast.

For mains, I had lasagna with chips and salad. The pasta came in its own bowl and looked very attractive, with a brown crust through which the reds of the tomatoes peeped.

But I found it a tad fatty and couldn’t finish it.

My mother, on the other hand, had scampi and chips which she munched through with great enthusiasm.

The Inn’s location, unlike its sister pub the Cross Guns by the side of the canal at Avoncliff, is somewhat off the beaten track, which is both an advantage and disadvantage.

It will be interesting to see how the new plans to make it a real local for the Limpley Stoke villages turn out.

In terms of being friendly, it was very successful and no doubt we will be back.

16th century village inn on banks of River Frome

Real ales from the pub’s own Box Steam Brewery

Food noon-2.30pm; 6.30pm-9pm Monday to Saturday; noon-5pm Sunday

Two lunch courses for £10, separate a la carte menu

Emphasis on locals, by providing venue, raffle prizes, music and locals’ nights etc.

Our Eating Out is an independent review carried out by the Times without prior knowledge of the owners.