London and South East

1 THE DRAPERS ARMS, LONDON

SUNDAY lunch has become legendary at this adored Islington gastropub. There are whole roasts to share, including roast chicken with bread sauce, slow-cooked shoulder of lamb, roast fore-rib of beef and loin of pork. Meat is impeccably sourced and arrives with proper roast potatoes, carrots, greens and gravy. 44 Barnsbury St, Islington, London, N1 1ER, 020 7619 0348, thedrapersarms.com £££

2 THE ANGLESEA ARMS, LONDON

THIS West London pub, on the border of Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush, is one of my favourites in town, with good beer, a decent wine list and ever reliable food. There’s a fire in winter, as well as a small outside bit, and dogs are allowed in the main bar. Choose from roast rump of beef, or roast pork belly, with all the usual trimmings. There’s even the occasional roast pigeon too. All tip top, with service to match. 35 Wingate Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 0UR, 020 8749 1291, angleseaarmspub.co.uk ££

3 45 JERMYN STREET, LONDON

THIS perennially popular modern brasserie is open from breakfast until late. Order the roast Glenarm sirloin – it has intense flavour, partly thanks to long ageing in a Himalayan salt chamber. It’s cooked pink and comes with magnificently puffy Yorkshire puddings. 45 Jermyn St, St. James’s, London, SW1Y 6DN, 020 7205 4545, 45jermynst.com £££

5 THE RAM INN, FIRLE

Set in one of the prettiest villages in the shadow of the East Sussex South Downs, The Ram, all rambling old brick and flint, has been around for more than 500 years. The vast majority of ingredients are sourced locally. Very locally. The lambs and cows graze minutes away, the game comes from the Firle Estate and fish are caught by the local vicar. On Sunday there’s always a beautifully done roast. The Street, Firle, Nr Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6NS, 01273 858222, raminn.co.uk ££

7 JOLLY CRICKETERS, BEACONSFIELD

THIS much-loved pub takes Sunday lunch very seriously indeed. Alongside five beautifully kept ales, you’ll also find roast sirloin of Aberdeen Angus beef, chargrilled rump of Chiltern lamb and Stockings Farm pork belly and black pudding. As well as all that there’s roasted Dover sole, grilled hake Welsh sea bass, English asparagus (in season) and a good choice of classic puddings. 24 Chalfont Road, Seer Green, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2YG, 01494 676308, thejollycricketers.co.uk ££

8 THE THREE DAWS, GRAVESEND

GAZING out over a wide expanse of the Thames, this Kentish pub has fantastic food. You’ll find Harvel Farm roast beef, Romney roast lamb and rosemary roast chicken, as well as vegetarian dishes far removed from the dull. Town Pier, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0BJ, 01474 566869, threedaws.co.uk £

9 THE GUNTON ARMS, THORPE MARKET

HERE it’s all about fire. A great hearth, where chef Stuart Tattersall does magnificent things. OK, on Sunday the fire is out of use. But the cooking is always

excellent – a whole rib of beef from the local Blickling herd, slowroast lamb shoulder, and venison from the surrounding park. Cromer Road, Thorpe Market, Norwich NR11 8TZ, 01263 832010, theguntonarms.co.uk £££

10 THE FORDWICH ARMS, STURRY

GET stuck into roast rump of Herefordshire beef, saddle of Lydden Court Farm lamb, slow roast suckling pig, Cornish monkfish or roasted hen of the woods mushroom with pickled walnut and hispi cabbage. 1647 King St, Sturry, Canterbury CT2 0DB, 01227 710444, fordwicharms.co.uk ££££