Vine Tree

Civilised, friendly dining pub, beams and candlelight, seasonal food using local produce, fine choice of drinks, and big garden

The accent at this welcoming dining pub - which feels pleasantly remote despite its proximity to the M4 - is firmly on food, served by efficient staff. They've made considerable efforts with wine, with around 40 wines by the glass from an impressive list (they do monthly tutored tastings and have their own wine shop), and quite a choice of malt whiskies and armagnacs. Butcombe Bitter and St Austell Tinners with a guest beer like Bath Ales Gem are on handpump. Three neatly kept little rooms open together, with aged beams, some old settles and unvarnished wooden tables on the flagstone floors, big cream church altar candles, a woodburning stove at one end of the restaurant and a large open fireplace in the central bar, and limited edition and sporting prints; look out for Clementine, the friendly and docile black labrador. It's best to book if you want to eat here, especially at weekends. There are picnic-sets and a children's play area in a two-acre garden plus a pretty suntrap terrace with teak furniture under big cream umbrellas, a lion fountain, lots of lavender, and box hedging; there's an attractive smoking shelter, too. They have a busy calendar of events, with outdoor music in summer, vintage car rallies and lots going on during the Badminton horse trials.

The usually enjoyable food includes sandwiches, interesting soups, light bites such as scampi, filled ciabattas, and honey and mustard gammon with egg and chips, and a frequently changing menu with a wide range of dishes using local seasonal produce such as game, oysters, mussels and asparagus. Starters and snacks might include mussel and saffron soup or warm salad of pigeon breast and black pudding; main courses such as venison and juniper suet crust pie, roast saddle and leg of wild rabbit with prune and armagnac compote, freshly minced beefburger served with a bloody mary, coq au vin, lobster thermidor, shetland mussel, clam and seafood risotto, or pumpkin ravioli with walnut sauce; puddings like eton mess, belgian double chocolate roulade, lemon tart or pink champagne and wild strawberry jelly; good cheeseboard. New seafood and champagne area serves seafood from traditional french tiered stands; Sunday roasts include beef sirloin from the neighbouring farm; children's portions.