The Imperial

From the grand period façade to the comfortable yet stylish interior, The Imperial is welcoming through and through. With a new team at the helm, this Butcombe pub is winning a fresh legion of fans, who love the varied menu designed for fantastic informal dining.

So what can you expect from The Imperial? Well, the wine list is excellent, the ale perfectly kept (obviously) and the prices are very reasonable indeed. There's something going on every night of the week, starting with Monday's cask beer club (buy one, get one free). Ruby Tuesdays offer a selection of delicious Indian delicacies served with a free drink. On Wednesdays, if you order two glasses of wine, you receive the rest of the bottle free of charge, while Thursdays offer the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary beer if you order from the burger selection. After a menu of fresh fish dishes accompanied by two-for-the-price-of-one cocktails on Fridays, Saturdays see live music from 9.15pm.

As if all that wasn't enough, the main menu has choice in abundance. There are light bites and starters, like the antipasti platter of salami, Parma ham, bresaola, olives and bread, which is a great, sociable way to start your meal. There are sandwiches, panini and baguettes, burgers and pub favourites. The fish pie is creamy and wonderfully traditional, while the haddock and pea risotto is a great choice if you fancy something a little different. With steaks, salads and house specials to complete the delicious selection, whether you're popping in after work, or making a day of it after an afternoon on the pier, The Imperial is certainly worth investigating. Open: Mon-