The Swallows Nest, Romsley

With spring in the air this countryside retreat is the ideal place for a spot of Sunday lunch,

Picture the scene. Rolling English countryside, early Spring sunshine breaking through the clouds and the friendly atmosphere of a traditional village pub.

All these plus great food and drink easily equate to an idyllic Sunday afternoon.

It seems like everyone else had happened on the same idea as me by wanting to get out of the big smoke and head for the country on our first sunny spring weekend of the year.

Well with our unpredictable British summers, you have to make the most of the weather while you can.

We didn't want to stray too far from the beaten track but after a busy week of work and life in general, it's nice to go on a little adventure.

Many picture postcard pubs are scattered throughout the villages of north Worcestershire. Yet one above all others seemed like the ideal venue to create our picture perfect afternoon.

The Swallows Nest, in Romsley, is barely three miles from Halesowen town centre. Yet during our visit it felt like a million miles away.

It lives up to its name, nestled among the peaks and valleys of the countryside surrounding Romsley and nearby Hunnington and Clent.

Approaching the pub with its ornate country beer garden was like a scene from Midsomer Murders.

The rustic feel to the pub continues inside as low ceilings and dark beams create an intimate and cosy atmosphere.

With my mind already filled with thoughts of my perfect Sunday lunch, you can imagine my disappointment when the waitress said because of demand that there could be up to a 30-minute wait for a table.

I needn't have worried. Barely had I put my lips to my pint at the bar when a table became free within one of the pub's many alcoves for our party of three.

The pub was packed with a host of people seemingly as excited as me to be out enjoying the Sunday sun. Families bringing all the relatives, both young and old, out for a catch up.

Old men sitting with an ale and a copy of the Sunday papers. Young couples out to forget the pressures of the working week.

Scanning the menu, there was so much choice. A special Sunday roasts menu is placed on each table but the regular meals are still available.

Deciding on a mix of modern and traditional, I plumped for spicy tasting sesame chicken fillets (£4.75). Covered in a light batter, the fillets were served with a smattering of salad and Yuza-plum dip. It was such an interesting starter with the light pieces of chicken perfectly complimented by the kick of the sauce.

One of my party chose the soup of the day (£3) which was a deliciously thick bowl of tomato and herb soup.

Having eagerly waited for the main event, myself and one of my fellow diners picked the roast loin of pork with crackling (£8.55). It was served with an apricot stuffing, nice large Yorkshire pudding, glazed parsnips, chunky vegetables, roast potatoes and a sage gravy.

It was like a feast from Tudor times. Everything was cooked to perfection and there was neither too much nor too little food as you can get sometimes with Sunday lunches. The crackling was nice and crisp and not chewy at all.

My other companion picked the roast beef (£9.75) which was piled high in nice lean cuts followed by spiced poached pears infused with red wine and winter spices served with crème fraiche (£4.45).

Not wanting such a perfect dining experience to end, I devoured some profiteroles (£3.95) covered with cream and drizzled with chocolate.

The service was polite and friendly without being intrusive and the pub was clean despite more traditional decor.

As you can probably tell by now, there is only one word to describe this Sunday afternoon treat. Perfect.

ADDRESS

The Swallows Nest, 40 Bromsgrove Road, Romsley, Halesowen B62 0LF

Telephone: 01562 711236