The Bowl Inn Almondsbury, Bristol

WHERE & WHY

This 12th century inn, in the village of Almondsbury, just north of Bristol, had a gentle buzz when we arrived on a Friday night in summer.

Customers were enjoying drinks at the tables outside next to St Mary’s Church and in the beer garden to the rear, folk chatted at the bar and well-behaved dogs lounged on the flag-stoned floor.

We had parked in the car park opposite (just punch your car reg into the ipad inside the front door and it’s free), then were checked in swiftly at the bar by smiley staff.

Our family of four had a double ensuite bedroom at the front of the pub decorated in cosy sage green – with framed artworks of plants and animals, books on the windowsill and exposed beams and brickwork – as well as a generous twin-room next door with French doors overlooking the patio and garden.

Part of Bristol-based Butcombe Pubs, there’s a selection of the brewery’s beers on tap, and a pint of Butcombe Rare Breed provided a refreshing start to the evening.

ON THE MENU

The dining room was full that night, with plenty of chatter, and waiting staff speeding in and out of the kitchen, giving it a warm and breezy feel.

The portions on other diners’ plates looked generous, so we ordered three starters to share; a scrummy squash hummus with sourdough, roasted heritage beetroot with whipped feta and River Fowey mussels (from £6.95 each).

On to mains and the pumpkin and sage tortelloni, Crown Prince squash and kale was delicious (£15.95).

The 28-day dry-aged rump with garlic butter and chips was superbly cooked (£21.95) and The Bowl beef burger with bacon and cheese was pleasingly loaded (£15.95).

A pudding of Biscoff doughnuts, caramel sauce, vegan vanilla ice cream, caramelised biscuit crumbs was a triumph (£6.50).

Breakfast was another feast, with choices of a full English, bacon butties and egg options, plus smoothies and breakfast cocktails.

WHILE YOU ARE THERE

It’s a great base for exploring Bristol or stopping off on the way to Devon or south Wales. Nearby is The Wave surfing lagoon. If pushed for time, go round the corner to Over Lane for the Severn Valley scenic viewpoint.

WAKE-UP CALL:

Rooms from £120 including breakfast, bowlinnalmondsbury.co.uk