Review

The Burleigh Arms has succeeded where thousands of chain pubs have failed, managing fresh modernity without becoming faceless and bland.

. . . the best bits of tradition without sacrificing the heart-felt essence of a public house: a comfortable place to meet and drink

The overall impression is of light, space and air, an effect of pine floor, cream walls and good lighting, spread apart tables and a fan that diffuses smoke. A wide range of non-alcoholic drinks (fruit juices, a coffee machine, fruit teas), an extensive wine list and comfortable modern furniture are all other signs that this is no olde England pub.

The food menu provides everything for a satisfactory mid-day or evening meal: sandwiches, salads, jacket potatoes and more substantial meals. There is also a specials board if you fancy a more decadent dish.

The pub is busy on the weekday lunchtimes, with a middle-aged working crowd from local businesses. This is an indicator of good food, which proves to be true, we have a generous freshly-prepared pizza with mushrooms and olives and a fresh coleslaw and salad side.

But the Burleigh Arms hasn't completely lost its identity as a pub, it also serves good Belgian beers and three real ales, and was voted in the top 3 per cent of the country for quality of beer by Cask, the independent real ale watchdog.

The clientele is generally of the middle-aged variety, with more women than average, likely to have been attracted by the pleasant environment. There is plenty of space with two large sections, and in the summer a patio garden in the back has space for 65 people. Parking is also available.

Husband and wife landlord/lady David and Lucy Wollfenden hope to extend their entertainment repertoire in the future, with more live acoustic rock and jazz. They also show all major sports (football, cricket, rugby, rowing) events shown on widescreen tellies.

The Burleigh Arms has evolved the best bits of tradition without sacrificing the heart-felt essence of a public house: a comfortable place to meet and drink.