Pub of the week - I tried Washbrook's The Brook Inn

This week we went to the outskirts of the town to visit an early 1900s pub that has been a staple of Washbrook for decades - The Brook Inn.

The pub - which saw its future in doubt in a decade ago - was purchased by Washbrook locals to ensure it stuck around in the village.

The pub is situated at the heart of Washbrook (Image: Newsquest)

As I parked up and arrived at The Brook Inn, I was taken aback by the picturesque nature of the area it is located in.

In The Street, the country pub is at the heart of the village and felt like the perfect place you would stumble upon on a Sunday afternoon stroll - especially when your rumbling stomach needs it most.

On entry I was met with a charming interior with some equally enjoyable music being pumped through the speakers throughout.

Staff of this family-run pub were very welcoming and to be able to have a three-course meal on a Tuesday lunchtime was fantastic.

I was seated at a large wooden table and was brought water without having to ask.

Then menu had a good range of options - including fish and chips, burgers and sandwiches - but I settled on the country pie which on this day was braised beef and truffle-infused mushrooms.

The £22 dish also came with a choice of mash or chips as well as mixed vegetables or peas.

While I was waiting for the pie - which did take some time to arrive - I was impressed by the number of people steadily streaming in for lunch, hence the extend I wait.

The interior was bright and a surprising number of customers filled the pub (Image: Newsquest)

The bar also has a good line-up of drinks (Image: Newsquest)

I wrongly assumed the pub - on a Tuesday lunchtime - would be quiet but I was pleasantly surprised for their to be a buzz throughout the pub which helped you relax and enjoy your time there.

As the waitress - who was brilliant at looking after everyone - handed me my lunch, I was delighted with the portion size.

The gravy, which I always think makes-or-breaks a dish, was superb alongside the mushrooms while the beef was slightly dry for my liking.

An important part - the pastry - was well-cooked and the mash potato and vegetables complemented the dish well.

In the 2013, the Brook’s future came under threat when then‑owner Punch Taverns put the pub on the market, prompting fears it could close or be redeveloped.

The country pie was fantastic and left me very satisfied (Image: Newsquest)

The lemon baked cheesecake was good but the sauce underneath was sharp (Image: Newsquest)

Around 90 residents came together and raised £373,000 to buy the pub after forming the company Back The Brook Ltd, to complete the purchase.

As I waited for dessert, the village fight to save the pub was evident with the way people were arriving to support it.

For pudding, there was a choice of sticky toffee pudding, a brownie or a lemon baked cheesecake - which I opted for.

Priced at £8.95, the cheesecake was enjoyable but the lemon sauce underneath was personally too bitter.

The pub boasts a sizeable garden (Image: Newsquest)

It did round-off a thoroughly enjoyable lunch - partly due to the food, but more-so because of the atmosphere and friendliness of the staff.

There was plenty of room to the pub which also boasts a large garden, serving the village of Washbrook and beyond.

Our food reviews are entirely independent and reflect the reviewer’s experience at the time of their visit. Venues are not informed of our attendance or intention to review, and all bills are paid by the reviewer. Establishments are selected on merit and are not influenced by their advertising relationship with our publications.