Waggon and Horses, Beckhampton

We had passed the pub on the A4 a few times and were attracted in by the traditional thatched roof and stone walls made from the nearby Avebury Stone Circle.

The pub was once an important stop for weary travellers on horseback or stagecoach making the two-hour journey between Bristol to London on the A4 and its popularity increased when Charles Dickens mentioned the building in his novel Pickwick Papers.

When we got there on Friday evening the bar was almost empty and we were welcomed by the chatty landlord who served us our drinks.

We chose to eat in the restaurant and, even though we had not booked, the waitress squeezed us in to a small table near the fire and was very attentive throughout.

Opting for nibbles instead of starters we ordered pitta bread with humous and rustic bread with oil and balsamic vinegar. The half baguette was warm and crispy and there was just the right amount of oil and vinegar to dip.

For main course I ordered homemade chilli bean and mushroom hot pot with cheesy potatoes which was served in a small cauldron with salad, coleslaw and bread. It was full of fresh vegetables and flavour, while the potato topping was morishly cheesy.

Stew chose one of the specials – chicken madras with rice and naan bread. He said it was one of the nicest curries he had ever eaten although it was too spicy for me.

There was a wide range of desserts from bread and butter pudding to lemon meringue, with specials on a blackboard.

I was daunted by the sight of my chocolate puddle pudding with ice cream and only managed to eat half.

But the sponge was warm and soft and the chocolate sauce was rich and gooey – perfect for chocolate-lovers.

Having given up chocolate for Lent, Stewart found himself in a quandary when it came to dessert.

He stuck to his guns and ordered mint ice cream, which unfortunately turned out to be mint choc chip but he enjoyed it nevertheless.

The bill, including two soft drinks each, came to a reasonable £33.