Hinds Head

Slightly more accessible than the neighbouring Fat Duck, this reconfigured 15th-century coaching inn promises the quality that you'd expect from Heston Blumenthal, but without the bells and whistles. Refreshed and dolled up in 2017, the ground-floor dining room retains its ancient pubby feel via reclaimed panelling, rich red leather banquettes and antique beams, while the newly minted ‘Royal Lounge’ upstairs comes draped in quirky Heston-isms including a 3D-printed cockatrice and a blunderbuss chandelier.

Changing seasonally, the carefully curated menus at this polished gastropub celebrate the best of traditional British cooking while reflecting the chefs’ creative twists on classic dishes. The lengthy a la carte might yield anything from pork loin terrine with juniper and Szechuan spice, pistachios and piccalilli to oxtail and kidney pudding or slow-roasted lamb saddle with pea puree, broad beans and smoked anchovies, but one thing they’ll have in common is quality. The cooking here is next level, whether you’re splashing the cash on prime rib-eye or settling in for the set Sunday roast.

Elsewhere, the fabled Scotch egg comes with mustard mayo, while other classics such as Earl Grey tea-smoked salmon also put in an appearance. Desserts ought not to be missed, particularly the chocolate wine millionaire shortbread and the ‘quaking pudding’ (cinnamon, nutmeg and compressed apple), though if you’re keeping track of the bill, you might be tempted to sack it off. That said, if you’re desperate to visit but can’t justify the expense, you could do worse than to order from the set lunch menu (available on weekdays), which gets three courses for under 30 quid. There’s zero choice, but Michelin-starred dining doesn’t get much cheaper than that.

Service is chirpy and relaxed, and there are some great G&Ts alongside the serious wine list. Whether it’s a special occasion or a spot on your bucket list, Hinds Head is a place you’ll remember.

Hinds Head is a destination dining experience curated and led by world-renown chef Heston Blumenthal, housed within a historic, 15th-century pub. Indeed, the building has acted as a place to gather and eat since the 1400s, and over the years has been featured in folklore songs, books and visited by royalty. The team are keen to preserve its storied past, with the pub's logo proudly featuring a female deer circled by a royal garter and their location, close to Windsor Castle. 

Blumenthal bought the property in 2004 and since then it has been recognised with a Michelin star for its traditional British cuisine. There are a few menus to choose from including an a la carte, set lunch and Sunday lunch. To get a feel for what you can expect, take a look at the example menus online, kicking off with some of the restaurant's now legendary snacks, including Devils on Horseback and Scotch Egg.

Starters look like pickled beetroot tart with smoked goat's curd and cider poached pears, alongside classic dishes like pea and ham soup, and crab soup and sandwich with tomato and fennel. For mains, take your pick from the big plates such as oxtail and kidney pudding with oxtail sauce, as well as market fish with samphire, brown shrimps and mustard sauce, plus pork belly with pearl barley, pickled onions, fennel and wheat beer. Then, there's the grill. Here, you can enjoy a selection of cuts sourced locally from Aubrey Allen Butchers, who have a particular fondness for Irish Hereford Prime, aged for a minimum of 28 days, cooked to your liking. 

The team are keen for you to enjoy the breadth of their unique beverage offering alongside the food, with signature cocktails such as the Apple Orchard with Broken Clock Vodka, Aker English Dry Aperitif, apple and orange blossom shrub and soda. There's also a selection of non-alcoholic options, beers and a curated wine list.