Pub of the Week: The Pheasant, Shefford Woodlands
This week we’re at our friends’, The Pheasant. A beautifully kept and elegant inn, The Pheasant sits on the edge of the Valley of the Racehorse, with stunning opening views out onto a patchwork of fields. The white cladding, combined with red brick give it a modern, yet country feel, which is echoed inside. The bar area is classically rustic, with plenty of light spilling through the windows giving it an airy feeling in summer, whilst the fire and rich wooden bar and furnishings keep it cosy in the colder months. Predominately local ales line the bar, including our Ramsbury Gold, or we highly recommend a Ramsbury G&T (especially over the warm bank holiday weekend!), enjoyed in their large garden.
Really though, this is the place to dine. The food is quite simply, exquisite, and the menu is ever changing to reflect local and seasonal produce. It’s an excellent balance of fine dining and traditional pub classics. Each dish looks expertly plated and it is clear that Head Chef has great pride in their menu. Whether you choose to dine in the bar area or in the spacious and bright restaurant to the rear of the pub, you can be assured that service will be friendly and relaxed, yet swift too. There are also various different ‘snug’ areas, complete with comfy soft furnishings and homely décor so you can fully relax tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the pub within just a few footsteps of one another. A bottle of wine between two and the special of the day is a particularly good way to unwind we like to think.
The Pheasant has a rich history, dating back 450 years when it first sheltered drovers herding livestock from Wales to London, and its heritage as an inn has been kept – yet wonderfully refreshed. There are 14 refurbished en-suite guest rooms, which are luxurious to say the least. This beautiful Inn is a complete hidden gem, yet sits just off of J14 of the M4 – though you would never know it when you visit, its tranquil setting is somewhat of a wonder. It’s the place you will frequently book when opting to dine out or recommend to friends if visiting, simply because you know it will always be a fantastic experience.