meals from scratch onsite. In addition to the selection of meat dishes The Ranch also offers vegan options and light lunches of jacket potatoes and wraps, and local ales are available at the bar. The venue is bright and spacious, with leather sofas for lounging, and rustic wooden tables and chairs. Photography by local artists is for sale on the walls. Drawing on European café culture, there is a courtyard at the entrance of the building where visitors can stop for a leisurely coffee and cake. We found the atmosphere pleasant and friendly, with cheerful staff to greet us as we arrived.

Although our burgers took a while to come to our table, the portions were generous and the chicken was perfectly grilled - neither too dry nor underdone. The chunky chips were teamed with a distinctive barbeque dressing and crunchy salad. After a large slice of chilled lemon meringue pie for desert and a bottle of house wine between us, the small bill was a pleasant surprise. A meal for a couple is excellent value here.

The Ranch boasts a large beer garden with an outdoor bar for summer dining. There is a large onsite car park, making it an ideal spot for large parties. The venue is available for wedding receptions and offers a lively calendar of events, including comedy nights, a Sunday carvery, generous drinks promotions and a frequently updated menu.

Unlike some other bistros, The Ranch is notably child-friendly, with a small indoor play area and a children's menu.

Overall, The Ranch is ideal for students looking for a great value meal, and for young families after a laid-back evening in comfortable surroundings. Our only grumble was that the service was a little slow on the day of our visit, but we would most certainly come again.