Close to Gloucester, just off junction 12 of the M5, the lucky unsuspecting traveller will stumble across this den of good food and great times. Traditionally furnished with Tiffany glass lampshades complementing a country-inspired theme, relaxed family dining is the order of the day. Having recently changed hands, the new management have focused their attention on creating a menu of extensive choice, traditional dishes and generous portions.

Starters include soup, pâté, classic prawn cocktail and whitebait alongside more contemporary dishes such as nachos and mixed dippers, which features crispy garlic mushrooms, onion rings and potato shells topped with cheddar cheese and served with spicy dips. Meat lovers will not be disappointed when it comes to the mains – sirloin, fillet and gammon steaks are all served with griddled tomato, mushrooms, onion rings and chunky chips, with optional sauces of peppercorn, Stilton and port or cream and mushroom. My beef stroganoff, one of the chef’s specialities, was rich and creamy with generous strips of beef served with garlic bread and rice. Vegetarians have a wide selection to choose from – vegetable chilli, vegetable Wellington and pasta served with pesto cream – and there is even a regularly-changing specials board for yet more choice.

If you have room left, the dessert menu is a mouth-watering combination of classic puds and creative new ideas. A variety of hot beverages complete your meal, with the Baileys latte or espresso con panna particularly appealing.

In addition to the restaurant, more casual dining can be taken in the bar, which offers a light menu of sandwiches, baguettes and jacket potatoes alongside a number of heartier main courses.

Welcoming and friendly, this popular destination is rightly very busy, so book a table before word spreads even further.