Harden's survey result
Summary
“I was expecting rather standard Home Counties fare, but instead I found delicious cooking and charming service all in an attractive barn-style setting”: this successful ten-year-old – a restored ‘run-down pub’ in West Berkshire countryside – boasts a “very lovely”, high-ceilinged contemporary dining extension and has become one of the most commented-on restaurants in our annual diners’ poll. Run by Alastair Storey (a top catering CEO), reporters are “delighted and frankly a bit surprised by the excellence of the experience” and – unusually for a rural venue – its “ambience and level of quiet formality make it a place in which you’d be happy to do business”. Its scores slipped a fraction this year though, on the back of some incidents of “mechanical” service (“in the old-style, fancy-restaurant way)” or the odd “ordinary” meal (“we have had better here”).
Summary
“A most sophisticated dining experience in charming surroundings” has established this “barn-like” eatery, converted from a restored seventeenth century farm and former pub in West Berkshire, as one of the most commented-on restaurants in our annual diners’ poll. And – unusually for a rural spot – the professionalism of its approach (the owner is top catering CEO, Alastair Storey) means it’s often tipped for business meetings as well as being “an ideal place for meeting friends”. Chef Peter Eaton’s cuisine makes “excellent use of native ingredients” with “confident” cooking that’s “always beautifully presented and full of flavour”, while “service is always attentive and interested in you”. “Always charming, and deservedly always full!". Top Tip – “set lunch menu is very good value but rather limited in choice”.
Summary
“Consistently good in everything it does” – this restored seventeenth-century farm and former pub in West Berkshire is nowadays one of the most commented-on restaurants in our annual diners’ survey (there’s also a cookery school) and it’s cited by fans for its “London quality levels outside London” (the deep-pocketed owner is top catering CEO, Alastair Storey). Despite the departure of founding chef John Campbell in 2020, new executive chef Peter Eaton (who has also been on the team since it opened) has maintained level ratings for cuisine that’s “classy without being OTT”. The stylish and airy space (with a distinctive, ribbed-wood roof) opens onto a large terrace that enjoys sweeping views over the local countryside.
Summary
“Set in rural Berkshire with stunning views”, John Campbell’s accoladed venue “sounds like it should be a pub, but is in reality a skilled and soignée restaurant”: “thoughtfully designed”, with an “airy”, “modern” interior that “opens onto a large terrace”. “The cooking is very good” from an “interesting and changing menu” of “original yet reassuring dishes”, “beautifully presented, and skilfully and charmingly served”. Top Tip – “good for a sophisticated supper before the theatre at the nearby Watermill”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Woodspeen?
Lambourn Rd, Newbury, RG20 8BN
Restaurant details
The Woodspeen Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Scandi looking, very good and interesting food. Go see the fantastic snowdrops at neearby Newbury Park. Not far off from M4... but you need a navigator! But a bustling place at lunchtime. "
"Despite losing its Michelin star, standards at the Woodspeen remain very high. Prices, as elsewhere, have risen this year but you still feel that you get value for money, especially for the set lunch. They also offer unusual wines at good prices. Overall a very enjoyable experience"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £30.00 | £35.00 |  |
|
 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £21.00 | £41.50 | £15.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £26.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Lambourn Rd, Newbury, RG20 8BN
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
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