10:03am Thursday 8th July 2010
IT’S a known fact that good things come in small packages. Well, I like to believe it, considering I’m a mere 5ft 2ins.
But there was no sign of small servings at the Waggon and Horses, a 16th century public house close to Avebury.
My eight year old girl and I stopped off there for Sunday Lunch as it had been some time since I last visited. In fact it was more than five years ago, and the pub has grown so much in popularity that the pool room, where I last enjoyed a pint, has become a dining area.
Go further back in time, some 500 years to be precise, and the public house was seen as an important stop for many a weary traveller on horseback or stagecoach travelling between the Bristol and London. And I’ve heard many a story about the area when carriages came under attack from highwayman who robbed the travellers of jewels and wares.
Having no fear of such a thing happening today, Erykah and I sat down outside in a shaded part of the raised garden and waited for our order of roast lamb, £9.95, and a child’s roast chicken, £4.50, to arrive.
The typical Old English stage coach inn has exposed beams, a traditional thatched roof and exquisite dormer windows, and the eating area outside is also suitable for pet owners.
By the time the food arrived I had to prise Erykah from the rope swing nearby, thankful that she looked hungry because her portion was generous. And so was mine.
Her portion looked almost as large as mine, enhanced more by the size of the plate. Half a roast chicken with tasty thick gravy oozing over the succulent meat, three vegetables - carrots, broccoli and courgettes - and roast and boiled potatoes jostled for space on the oval crockery. And my roast lamb shank was big enough to feed me twice over.
“No need for a sweet” was what came to mind when I started to tuck into my meal.
A little tease with a fork and the lamb literally fell off the bone. A quick dip in the mint sauce and, poof, it was gone.
I managed to polish off my plate, helping Erykah with her courgettes too – she’s not a fan of them.
I was particularly impressed with the attentiveness of the staff and the delicious food – it wasn’t a quiet day to say the least. Every table inside looked like it was occupied by diners, yet the quality of food was consistent and staff were equally obliging and friendly.
Throughout the week the pub serve lunchtime and evening meals off the menu complete with two specials boards - one for savoury, one for sweets.
Considering the size of our meal – which I would like to point out Erykah nearly finished, she still found room to cheekily ask for a pudding.
One chocolate puddle pudding with ice-cream, £4.75, later and her belly was decidedly bulging.
She may be small – but she’s good at eating every crumb of a sweet anyday.
Waggon & Horses, Beckhampton, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1QJ. Tel no: 01672 539 418 OPEN: Seven days a week from noon to 11pm. Food served: Hot meals noon to 2pm, cold meals thereafter until 6.30pm to 9pm for hot food again. Sunday lunches from noon to 4pm, or until the roasts run out – usually 7pm.
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