Family owned 2 AA Rosette foodie pub, The Tilbury in Datchworth, is run by brothers Tom and James Bainbridge (who also run The White Hart in Welwyn). Tom, a passionate self-taught chef, heads up the kitchen and the à la carte menu focuses on refined British cuisine – think Venison steak with red cabbage and lentil ragu, and Gurnard with shrimp rice pudding. But you’ll also find plenty of pub classics, too, such as fish and chips, burgers and steak (all available to takeaway, too). Plus there’s a children’s menu, Sunday roast menu, some good-looking veggie options and a weekly pie special, available from Wednesday evening to Friday lunchtime.

Behind the bar you’ll be spoilt for choice, and you can’t go far wrong when it comes to the wine list as The Tilbury has received an AA Notable Wine List award not once, but three years on the trot! Their quarterly wine dinners are a great way to explore more, with this year’s theme being new and old wine counties. You can learn about comparing grape styles from each country, while enjoying a tasting menu inspired by their cuisines. And if you’ve got a special occasion or celebration coming up you can book private dining for your group.

Come summer, there’s a large terrace and garden for relaxed al fresco dining (and corn hole pitches if you want to get competitive), plus you’ll notice the Tilbury tipi pop up as the sun comes out. It’s open through the summer until the end of August, from Thursday evenings until Sunday (including all day on Saturdays), offering Asado BBQ (think slow-cooked meats, Asado burgers, Argentinian sauces and burnt end gravy – a little British Tilbury twist!). It will also host live music on Friday evenings from 7pm, and there’ll be a tipi cocktail bar with a 2-4-1 Happy Hour from Thursday-Friday (6-7pm), Saturday (5-7pm) and all day on Sunday.

Cocktail hour and leisurely lunches here we come!