INSPIRED by the appearance of sunshine on Sunday we decided on a walk in to Tetbury for a pub lunch.

After a stop for a pint at one watering hole where we found we were too late for lunch at 1.30pm, we decided to head for the Ormond.

This Grade II listed building in the middle of Long Street is a former coaching inn and is popular with visitors and locals alike.

Customers enter through the archway, following the same route the horses once took into the courtyard at the back.

These days it is decorated with shrubs and ornaments, given an extra sparkle at the moment with pretty fairy lights.

It’s been a while since we last went there, but as we walked into the cosy bar we were given a friendly welcome.

After ordering a drink we were directed to a table in the corner, with a window and next to the open fireplace where a log fire was burning merrily.

Left to peruse the food choices we decided on the Sunday lunch set menu with three courses at £20.95 a head – after all we had worked up an appetite and would be burning off some of the calories on the walk home.

A few minutes later we had decided on pumpkin, coconut and chilli soup with homemade bread and smoked mackerel pate accompanied by melba toast and salad to start.

Our order was taken by a cheerful server and despite the fact there were quite a few other diners, it arrived promptly. My husband, who is a fan of mackerel pate, was delighted with his choice. The texture was just right – not too smooth – and it was full of fishy flavour.

My soup smelt and tasted heavenly. There was just enough chilli to give the dish some warmth without overpowering the coconut or the pumpkin. I resolved to have a go a recreating it at home one day when I had a bit of time to spend in the kitchen.

As we waited for our main courses we enjoyed a spot of people watching through the window.

Tetbury is a popular destination for weekend visitors from all over the country. It has the lure of Westonbirt Arboretum and Highgrove Gardens, along with antique shops and upmarket clothing boutiques and is nicely placed at the gateway to the Cotswolds.

On Friday the town’s Christmas lights were switched on so it was even busier than usual on Sunday afternoon.

Our main courses arrived. My husband, ever the traditionalist, had gone for the roast pork with roast potatoes, roast root vegetables, seasonal greens, cauliflower cheese and a Yorkshire pudding.

It was a good-sized portion and he was well satisfied. The pork was still moist, the greens were crunchy and he enjoyed the roast parsnip, although he wasn’t entirely sure about the roasted beetroot. His only criticism was that the crackling was a little burnt.

I’d chosen the Mediterranean vegetable, olives and brie tart with mixed salad and potatoes. The tart had lots of colour and flavour. I love olives, but I confess I’m more used to seeing them as tapas, in salads or on pizza, but they worked very well in this dish. I did find the base slightly hard to cut, but other than that minor thing, I had no complaints.

At this point we regretted slightly having gone for the three-course option rather than two because we were almost full.

Luckily for me, I’d picked the white chocolate cheesecake, which was light and creamy and I just about managed to polish it off. But it was with some regret that my husband put his spoon down two-thirds of the way through his apple, rhubarb and plum crumble. He liked the tangy rhubarb particularly, but he finally had to admit defeat. He was full.

We tottered home replete.

Our bill was £53 for two three-course meals, two pints of San Miguel and a large Coke.

The Ormond’s Head

23 Long St, Tetbury GL8 8AA

01666 505690

Website: theormondattetbury.co.uk

Parking: On-street

Disabled access: Yes

Our ratings:

Food: 9/10

Service: 10/10

Ambience: 10/10

Trip Advisor rating: 4/5