Hole in the Wall

The Hole in the Wall is an archetypal timbered pub tucked down a winding country lane in a part of the country bereft of good places to eat. So it took no time at all for the word to spread about the talented cooking of Chris Leeton & front of house hospitality from Jenny Chapman have making this place deservedly popular. There’s a hearty pub side with real ales on tap & blackboard lunch specials, but there’s a more refined side, too, involving the likes of warm ham hock with celeriac & apple salad, beetroot vinaigrette & vegetable crisps to start, followed by wild sea bass with olive oil mash, wild mushroom, artichoke & bacon casserole & crispy prawn tempura. The homemade bread is irresistible, too, & there’s warm baked egg custard tart with poached rhubarb to finish. Further pluses are unassuming, attentive service, a well-sourced wine list, a lovely garden with outside tables in summer & three log fires in winter.