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The Lamb Inn, Burford: Charming inn in a magical old town
BURFORD is a magical place, particularly in the winter when the picturesque Cotswold-stone buildings are tinged with frost.
And when you discover a charming old inn, with a roaring log fire and polished flagstones, that are testament to the thousands of feet that have walked over them during the centuries, things don't get much better.
I chose Burford this week as it's a great place to buy winter dog-walking outfits, and because Huffkins the bakery, in the High Street, bakes delicious lardy cakes, which are so moist and sticky they are best eaten in the privacy of your own home.
We parked in the free public car park at the end of Church Lane, where we were able to run the dog on an adjoining field before walking on to the centre of town, and then The Lamb Inn, in Sheep Street.
As my grandfather used to be the local blacksmith in Burford many, many, years ago, and my father, Jim Richards, made the metal pub sign that hangs outside The Lamb Inn, while being taught the trade as a young man, I have always been particularly fond of this old inn. The sign fell down last year, and had to be repaired. It was great to see it's been lovingly restored, and still hangs outside.
The Lamb Inn dates back to the 15th century, which is obvious. You don't even have to walk into the main door to appreciate its age, the mellow Cotswold stones of its exterior tells all.
Dogs are welcome in the bar area, so my border collie was able to tuck himself under a table and sleep while we enjoyed a warm glass of mulled wine (£3.95). Had I been drinking beer, I could have chosen Hooky Bitter, which, at 3.6 per cent ABV, I consider a classic session beer, or a glass of Wadworth 6X, which at 4.3 per cent ABV is slightly stronger.
As it was such a frosty day, the steaming glass of mulled wine hit the spot perfectly.
There's a restaurant at The Lamb Inn, but eating in the bar close to the roaring fire is so comfortable. Besides dogs are only allowed in the bar area, or in the small walled patio garden. That said, they are allowed to stay overnight with their owners in one of the 17 bedrooms on request.
The Fresh Fish Board, displayed in the bar, offers a choice of three different fish, at £12.95. I chose the beer battered haddock, pictured, but could have had crayfish risotto or pan fried salmon. The haddock was delicious, and the Cotswold sausages and mash (£8.95) that my friend ordered from the main menu were great too. She loved the caramelized red onion gravy that was poured over them, which smelt so good that dog woke up immediately her dish was served and began to sniff the air about him.
Other items listed on the bar menu included Thai fish cakes (£9.95), local gammon with fried egg and chips (£9.50), wild mushroom and truffle oil risotto (£8.95), 8oz rib eye steak (£12.95), or beefburger with bacon and blue cheese and potato wedges, at £9.95.
Light bites, which include the Lamb's special ploughman's platter, at £8.50, are also available, and traditional roasts are served, with all the trimmings, on Sundays, at £12.95. Children are welcome here, and are offered a choice of home-made dishes, cooked especially for them, at £5.50.
Unfortunately, wheelchair-users may find the various levels of this pub a little difficult, though I was assured that staff are available to help lift the chair if necessary. However, as this is a listed building, there is no toilet for the disabled.
We left the pub feeling that we'd stepped back in time for a while, and headed for the footpath over the bridge at the bottom of the hill, leading westwards, where dog was able to enjoy running through the frosty grass, and we were able to take in the beauty of rural Oxfordshire.
7:52am Thursday 17th January 2008
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