The Carpenters Arms, Sherston

(01666) 840665

On a wet and windy July evening we drove to Sherston in search of a cosy pub.

We found The Carpenters Arms which was lit up outside, had impressive floral displays in hanging baskets and a blackboard promising good food and real ale.

We stepped inside to receive a warm welcome.

The bar is mainly enjoyed by locals while the rest of the pub is set aside for dining. It has a comfortable feel, with a beamed ceiling, exposed stone walls and a variety of chunky wooden tables and chairs.

The pub is music free, with no jukebox, TV or one-armed bandit, and everyone chattered away happily in their own groups.

Local couple Mark Goodway and Laura Hamilton took over the pub earlier this year.

The menu had a good selection of dishes but was somewhat safe and hopefully the new tenants will deliver more unusual dishes in time.

For starters, Keith chose crispy fried whitebait (one of his favourite dishes), served with tartare sauce and salad. The generous portion was well presented and delicious.

I chose homemade tomato and basil soup which came with granary bread. Disappointingly, it had a runny texture and lacked an intense flavour.

For our main course the choice included steak and kidney pie and spicy bean and vegetable chilli with rice.

I opted for traditional hand carved Wiltshire ham, free range eggs, chips and salad.

The ham was a wonderfully thick slab of fresh meat complemented by the eggs, salad drizzled in a mustard type dressing and chunky chips. Delicious.

Keith had sirloin steak with onion, rings, mushrooms, peas, grilled tomatoes and chips.

He cleared his plate with gusto and said his steak was cooked to perfection and melted in the mouth.

We had no room for desserts but the choice included chocolate sponge pudding and cherry pie.

We left satisfied and would have no hesitation in returning. The bill, which included a pint of Wadworth 6X and a glass of wine, came to £39.20.

Own car park

Disabled access

Specials board

Food served lunchtime and evenings

Starters range in price from £2.95 to £6.45 while main courses range from £7.95 to £13.50

No jukebox, satellite TV or one armed bandits

Our Eating Out is an independent review carried out by the Gazette without prior knowledge of the owners.