The Woodmans Arms

At The Woodmans Arms in Wootton Bridge, 119 Station Road, food comes first. The official spelling has no apostrophe. Brothers Harry and Ronnie Fletcher run the pub, Harry as landlord and Ronnie as head chef. The kitchen cooks its cottage-style dishes on site and grows vegetables to supplement the specials in spring and summer. Other family members help with the business too: their father advises on the garden, and cousin Louie works in the kitchen.

The pub dates to 1840 and began as two cottages. Today the garden has tables and raised decking, and children have a play area outside. The family also uses an outdoor kitchen for summer events, which fits a pub that already grows its own vegetables. A long lunch in the garden works if the children need something to do while the adults finish eating. The pub welcomes pets.

The pub's community programme includes quizzes and live music, with charity events on top. A quiz night suits a team of friends, and a music night suits a table of listeners, and either pairs with a meal from a kitchen that cooks on site. The Woodmans takes restaurant reservations, so you can pick a date with friends and book a table for a meal together.