The Goddard Arms, Swindon (From This Is Wiltshire)

The Goddard Arms, Swindon

11:53am Thursday 17th December 2009 in

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WHEN my dining companion moved to Swindon nearly four years ago the doors of the Goddard Arms were firmly shut, so when the grand reopening took place earlier this month she was eager to get through the door.

Both of us were impressed and said what a great venue it would make for lunch...so a few days later we escaped the confines of Adver Towers and sought refuge inside the beautiful building, which has been redecorated to a high standard.

If you’re on a diet, or in the mood for a healthier option, then this probably isn’t the place for you. The only vegetables on the menu are peas and there is only one salad on offer.

But don’t write it off on that alone - what is on offer is cheap and cheerful pub grub, and you can get a whole meal for the price you pay for a sandwich in some of the venues in Old Town.

It was busy the lunchtime we went in and everyone had a smile on their face while they were eating. There were also plenty of empty plates around.

We decided to skip starters but the choices include southern fried chicken strips (£3.59) and hearty winter soup, served with a bread roll (£2.99).

We opted for cottage pie and chips (£4.35) and the seafood platter (breaded scallops, scampi and fish goujons with chips and peas, £4.35). My friend wanted to swap her chips for something greener (salad) and staff at the till didn’t bat an eyelid.

Among the other dishes are 16oz mixed grill (£9.99), lasagne (£5.99) and steak and Old Peculiar pie (£6.15).

Our meals were at our table in record time, perfect if you have nipped out of the office for your lunch break.

The cottage pie was tasty but a bit too heavy on the potato. The seafood platter was just like fish fingers and chips for grown-ups - real comfort food.

It brought a smile to our faces, although I think you might have struggled to distinguish it from the plain old scampi and chips.

Either way, for the price paid we were perfectly happy with our fare.

There was just room to squeeze in a pudding and we ordered sticky toffee pudding (£2.59). All desserts are under £3 and include jam roly poly, warm fudge cake and good old vanilla icecream. It arrived as quickly as the mains.

Think school dinners, but in a good way. Tucking in to the slice of pudding, which came with plenty of custard (although I was a little disappointed that the menu promised piping hot and it was only lukewarm) and brought back lots of memories for both me and my dining companion.

Our total bill, including two soft drinks and two large glasses of wine came to £23.99.

If you’re looking for high end dining then, in my opinion this isn’t the place to go, but for swiftness, cheeriness and value for money you couldn’t do better.