An excellent country pub with food & accommodation – worth getting lost trying to find it!

Great accommodation – warm, clean, well/newly decorated, well equipped (tea/coffee making & biscuits),flat screen T.V.,ensuite bath with shower over,W.C & basin all new & clean. The pub car park opposite with approx 20 spaces. Paid £90 for one night stay for two inc breakfast.

Stayed in room 2 overlooking the kitchen at the rear.Was a bit concerned at the extractor fan noise & occasional cooking smells but this stopped at pub closing time. Nice view to the right overlooking large field with lambing sheep.

I imagine the landlord gets a lot of phone calls asking for directions – he had the patience of a saint when I called him for them & so did the second person I spoke to asking for directions again (even with a map). We eventually saw a pub sign for the compasses inn but no street signs to lower chicksgrove – my advice is to approach from the A30 in daylight & ask a local (if you can find one)!

Good menu – all on blackboards, something for everyone – including English wine & cheeses. Served quickly - meal generous, well presented & hot.

My only concern was half way through our meal a customer brought his dog in – wouldn’t bother me if not eating – it’s a country pub after all -but the wagging tail near my tagglietelle was a little off putting.

As we were leaving before 9am we thought we would be too early for breakfast, but we were offered cereal, juice and fruit on a tray & a toaster for the rounds of bread all brought to the room the night before which I thought was a lovely gesture – much appreciated. Shame we planned to leave early as I imagine the hot breakfast would have been very good.

Would recommend & would stay again – charming.