The Bat and Ball Cuddesdon

We were six for a meal, paying about £60 per head, which felt like pretty good value. The pub is lovely, with great period features, and the serving staff were very pleasant, though our host was polite without being especially welcoming. The venison was the standout main, very good and well cooked. The fish and chips were reasonable, and the burger and mullet were very good. Of the starters, the baked Camembert was okay but the bread let it down, and the turkey terrine had the same issue. The only dessert was the Yule log, which was underwhelming. The wine list was limited and mostly trade labels you don't find on the high street. Our Primitivo was from an early-picked, low-alcohol style. Trendy, but not what you'd usually expect from that grape.

We arrived late for lunch but they still found us a table. The food was as advertised, elevated pub food, and very elevated at that. The steak was simply served with sauce and fries, but the cut was exceptional and cooked perfectly. The burger was wonderful too, simple and done just right. They made pasta for our five-year-old and charged only £7, which isn't always how restaurants handle it. We'd definitely come again.

We stayed overnight, and the room itself was delightful, though it was next to a storeroom that may have been used by the kitchen staff. That made things a bit noisy late in the evening and early in the morning. Some sound insulation would help. The staff were engaging and very helpful. The menu had plenty of lovely dishes, the food was fabulous, and the cask ales were great. I also liked that the wine list groups bottles by style, which makes choosing easier. A beautiful village pub in a lovely location, and well worth another visit for food, drink, and a night's stay.

The darts were a huge hit with our group! We've eaten at the Bat and Ball twice, with groups of 6-10, sometimes with kids and sometimes without, and both visits were fantastic. Friendly staff, delicious food, and wine that was perfectly chosen.