The Lansdowne Arms, Derry Hill (From This Is Wiltshire)

The Lansdowne Arms, Derry Hill

4:00pm Thursday 18th June 2009

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As a welcome home treat for my friend Scott, and to catch up on a week’s worth of gossip, we took a drive to the Lansdowne Arms in Derry Hill on Saturday.

When we arrived shortly before 6pm, the pub was quiet, with a few young families enjoying the warmth in the beer garden.

We were given a warm welcome by the waitress who told us that food was not served until 6pm so we opted for a drink outside to take advantage of the pub’s prime location on the top of the hill.

Built in 1843, the building overlooks the Avon valley towards Corsham and has three gardens to the front and rear of the building. Inside, the pub is dark but cosy with two open log fires and a raised seating area at the back. It offers bar snacks and a large menu seven days a week, with varied wine lists, Wadworth cask ales and seasonal guest ales.

After mulling over the menu displayed on a large black board hanging above the fireplace, I opted for the homemade leek and potato soup (£4.95), which was deliciously creamy and accompanied by two warm pieces of crusty bread and butter.

Scott chose the Caerphilly stuffed mushrooms with a garlic and breadcrumb crust (£6.50), which packed a flavoursome punch – a deliciously light way to start a meal.

For main, I went for the sausages and mash (£8.95) which came with an onion gravy and carrots. The gravy was rich and tangy but the three, thick sausages were a little undercooked for my liking.

Scott chose sirloin steak (£14.75) which came with chunky chips, a side salad and had a tarragon dressing.

The steak came exactly as it was ordered – medium/rare, and the tarragon was the perfect accompaniment. He said it worked perfectly, it was neither overpowering or bland.

Scott opted out of dessert but I chose the berry and vanilla creme brulee (£4.95)

The dish was served on a square glass plate, with lashings of berry sauce and cream.

The service was faultless, and our meals arrived piping hot and beautifully presented.

The pub was beginning to fill up as we left, and we noticed several of the tables were reserved for evening bookings.

Our meal, plus two soft drinks, came to £43.20.

Lansdowne Arms, Derry Hill, Calne SN11 9NS.

(01249) 812422

Large car park to the front

Three well kept beer gardens and large umbrellas

Bookings available

Separate specials menu

Recently voted Wadworth Managed food pub of the year

Vegetarian options

Dogs welcome

Our Eating Out is an independent review carried out by the Gazette withoutprior knowledge of the owners.

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