The Pelican is in Froxfield, a small village in between Newbury and Marlborough in Wiltshire. Its decor (dark wooden mismatched furniture, low ceilings, original beams and open fires) is typical of a country pub and the building was first built in the late 1600s. Guests can stay as well as dine, with eight rooms to choose from, several of which are double en-suite.
The menu combines pub favourites with dishes from further afield. Starters include a duck and pork rillette with red onion chutney, kiln-smoked salmon with pickled fennel and woodland mushrooms in a Stilton sauce. There’s also a selection of sharing small plates. Four of these are £24 with options ranging from southern fried chicken strips to hummus and flatbread.
The selection of mains is wide ranging and offers something to suit most tastes. Pub classics are represented by the likes of steak and ale pie, lamb shoulder shepherd’s pie and fish and chips. Elsewhere, there’s pan fried trout with buttered greens, a Korean fried chicken burger and Aberdeen Angus sirloin steak, served with skin on fries. The two vegetarian options are a wild mushroom, spinach and tarragon pie or a butternut squash and lentil Wellington.
Sundays call for a roast. Chicken and beef are the meat options and it’s the same Wellington from the main menu for vegetarians. All roasts come with sea salt and rosemary roast potatoes, buttered seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Additional sides include cauliflower cheese and pigs in blankets. The chicken and beef roasts are available in children’s portions.
The Pelican also has breakfast and lunch menus. Breakfast options range from shakshuka to full English. Any dish from the lunch menu can be combined with a drink for £11. This includes a selection of alcoholic drinks.