The Wheatsheaf Inn
West End Northleach Cheltenham GL54 3EZ
Completely renovated by its current owners, The Wheatsheaf is a fabulously stylish, buzzy, relaxing inn with lovely accommodation and no airs and graces, just great food and service, and plenty of places to enjoy it – the main bar, two separate dining areas, a snug (think big squidgy sofas, coffee table of glossy mags, and a cinema-size TV), a private function room and a garden bar, as well as a generous sprinkling of tables in the charmingly pretty garden. The menu is seasonal, with much of the produce locally sourced, and there's a British slant to the menu: starters include a half-pint of North Atlantic prawns or a twice–baked cheddar soufffle, followed by the likes of beer-battered whiting with fries, crushed peas and tartare sauce or calves liver with sage and balsamic onions. A children's menu includes mini shepherd's pie and creamy chicken and pesto tagliatelle (oh, and hot chocolate with marshmallows and strawberry milkshake – yep, the owners of this inn know their way to a childs heart); and those with special dietary needs are also catered for. Have I mentioned the ecclectic collection of artwork, from the Wills Family (of ciggies fame) portraits to Sebastian Kruger's "Kate Moss" .... it shouldn't work, but it does. A great pub, and one worth going out of your way to visit if you're in the area.
