Despite being sat outside on a slightly chilly April evening - our evening at the Kings Arms is still best described as cosy.

A meal at the pub, in All Cannings near Devizes, had been months in the making.

I’d had one late drink there when I first moved to Wiltshire, to the nearby Wedhampton, last October and had been intrigued by the extensive menu, that went against the often blasé phrase ‘pub grub’.

But a national lockdown soon followed, so it wasn’t until last week that I finally made it back.

The Kings Arms, nestled away in All Cannings, feels nearly hidden away down a series of roads in the village.

A popular spot for walkers and cyclists, it’s also a huge part of local life.

Not only known for its food - the Kings Arms also transforms every year for Concert at the Kings, a fundraiser for cancer charities.

The event is set to go ahead later this year - with Billy Ocean, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Lindisfarne and Spike Edney’s All-Star Band already lined up.

The King’s Arms has invested in a large canopy to shelter outdoor diners and drinkers, with heat lamps dotted between the tables.

After much decision-making, I started off with crispy stir-fried beef strips, that were served with sesame seeds, dark chilli sauce and a smattering of salad.

It was a very generous portion - a theme that echoed during the evening - and something I wish I could recreate at home.

My companion for the evening had opted for the crispy twice cooked belly pork, that came with Hoisin sauce, sesame seed dressing and salad.

It might have been the winning dish of the evening, with the large portion size ensuring there was plenty for me to nibble on.

We then spent far too long perusing the menu before deciding to well and truly treat ourselves - with the King’s Arms 8oz sirloin steak.

The steak, the meat sourced from Marlborough, was delicious and the accompanying sauteed mushrooms, peas and green beans a more delicate side.

Pomegranate seeds even scattered the salad, reflecting how far the Kings Arms veers from stereotypical ‘pub grub’ food.

After our extravagant food choices, we were too full for dessert (despite the lures of bread and butter putting and strawberry and lemon Eton mess) - which means a return trip will have to be in order.

Too full even to finish our drinks, we had left them on the table and prepared to leave - before a staff member came out with a plastic container so we could take them to go.

The King’s Arms, at least last Friday, was still full of regulars and groups of cyclists and motorcyclists as we ambled to our taxi, with the pleasant sound of chatter and laughter following us out.

The pub is well underway into preparations for indoor meals, and drinks, when restrictions ease. But with so many watering holes choosing to stay shut until May 17, the fact the King’s Arms stayed open is a blessing to many.

It certainly is on the pricier side than your average meal out, but that is reflected in the quality of food and quality of service.