We arrived at The Gloucester Old Spot on a warm summer’s evening, excited to sample the latest delights on their new summer menu.

Nestled between Uckington and Coombe Hill along the A4019, the independent pub has built a reputation for its warm hospitality, farm-to-fork ethos and ever-evolving seasonal menus. Having taken the helm just over a year ago, Shawn and Maria are committed to continuing this ethos and delivering excellence for every guest who walks through their doors. That’s certainly something we experienced on our visit.

We were a little early for our reservation, so while we waited we enjoyed a cool drink in the ample outdoor seating area, soaking up the sun and admiring the beautiful scenery of the fields that stretch out behind the pub – a picture-perfect country setting.

The new menu had only launched the week before and, having seen a sneak peek on their Instagram page, I knew we were in for a treat. When my husband Jack saw the menu, he said the food sounded “phenomenal”.

When booking the table, we were asked of any allergies or dietary requirements and, when I mentioned that I was a vegetarian who doesn’t like cheese, I was reassured that the kitchen team are always happy to adapt items if needed.

If you’ve ever been to The Gloucester Old Spot before, you’ll know how inviting their cosy, rustic restaurant is, with its chunky wooden tables, exposed stone, and walls adorned with deer antlers. But with the rare British sunshine making a welcome appearance, we opted to dine al fresco. A soft breeze carried the gentle hum of background music, dogs relaxed happily under tables, and the easy-going atmosphere made for the perfect start to our three-course experience.

My starter, a satay sweet potato and beetroot falafel quinoa bowl, was as vibrant as it was flavourful. Beautifully presented with a light garnish and a tasty dressing, it was like eating the rainbow – yellow and green heritage tomatoes, bright pink falafel and bright orange sweet potato. Healthy, hearty, yet indulgent, all in one bite.

My husband opted for the seared wood pigeon breast with black pudding, poached egg and a mustard potato salad. The rich and earthy dish was balanced perfectly by a sweet honey vinaigrette. A delightful combination of textures and flavours.

For the main course, I chose the tempura summer vegetables on a wood-fired red pepper and butter bean paella. The tempura batter was light and crisp, the vegetables plentiful – especially the tenderstem broccoli, much to my delight – and the paella had a subtle smokiness which brought real interest to the dish.

Jack went for the pan-fried sea bass fillet with butterflied king prawns, sautéed squid, pan-fried new potatoes, rainbow chard, and roasted cashew and lemon pesto. He commented on the amazing flavours of the dish and how the seafood had been cooked perfectly – the sea bass light and flaky, the king prawns crunchy, and the squid lovely and tender.

It was a bit breezy and grey by the end of the meal so we thought we might need to retreat inside where the staff had kindly saved us a table, but the sun came out just at the right time and we enjoyed our desserts in the golden evening light.

It took me a while to decide on my final course, as I would have loved to taste a mouthful of all five options, but in the end I went for the strawberry parfait with glazed lemon meringue, macerated strawberries and basil granita. With bursts of freshness from the strawberries and basil, zingy lemon and creamy parfait, it was a wonderful amalgamation of textures and flavours.

Jack’s dark chocolate delice with refreshing coconut sorbet, chewy honeycomb and toasted coconut offered a similar experience and rounded off the meal beautifully.

From beginning to end, the experience was seamless. The service was exceptional throughout and the dishes were vibrant and full of flavour. It was also wonderful to see how much they care about working with and supporting local suppliers. They have a board in their foyer proudly presenting their suppliers from Gloucestershire and neighbouring counties, celebrating the incredible flavours of our region.

From a plethora of beverage companies including Wye Valley Brewery, Shipton Mill and Hayles Fruit Farm, to food suppliers including The Artisan Baker, Cotteswold Dairy, Gloucester Sausage Co and Harry’s Honey, whose hives are just across the field from the Old Spot in Boddington.

So, did it live up to our expectations? Absolutely.


P.s. I was lucky enough to return just one week later for a business networking breakfast and can confirm that the Breakfast Menu is also wonderful!