Alfresco dining

With lockdown restrictions lifted, Somerset’s restaurants and pubs are back in business and many saw a demand for outside dining. CATHERINE COURTENAY uncovers a few of the county’s alfresco delights

- CATHERINE COURTENAY

HOLCOMBE INN

This countryside inn near Stratton-on-the-Fosse has long been a haunt for food fans. New owners Caroline Gardiner and Alan Lucas have extended that pedigree with Caroline’s 20 years’ fine dining experience. The 17th century inn boasts an impressive garden, with wide ranging views from the patio across to Downside Abbey. They make the most of their gardens, growing plenty of vegetables, fruits and herbs for the kitchen and providing tucked away spaces for diners to eat. Some of these areas have been closed under coronavirus restrictions, but a large marquee covering half the outdoor space, makes it even easier to dine alfresco, whatever the weather.

THE LORD POULETT ARMS

This stylish pub in the village of Hinton St George offers beautifully presented classic dishes like cider battered fish and chips or Somerset rarebit, alongside more inventive fare, including soft polenta,courgette caponata and stuffed summer squash flower. Its gardens are impressive and reflect the pub’s long history – it dates back to 1680. The main terrace, surrounded by Ham stone walls, is covered in a bespoke marquee, brought in this summer to provide allweather alfresco dining. There’s also a parterre, with tables set among clipped box hedges and bay trees, overlooking a boules piste. More space is available in the Pelota Wall Garden – where you’ll find an impressive 18th century wall built for the game of Fives, a forerunner to squash.