On The Brook

The enthusiasm for good food at On The Brook is obvious, from the carefully tended kitchen garden supplying much of the food for the restaurant, to the ‘five ways’ showcase, which takes one seasonal ingredient and demonstrates five different ways of cooking it. Rhubarb soup, apple leathers and wild garlic seasoning are some of the ingenious dishes that have previously emerged from the kitchen, and the all-day menu is tapas focused to make choosing easier. Homemade cordial and apple juice from the orchards are served alongside excellent coffee.

Despite its bucolic setting in a verdant, sheep-grazed valley, it’s only a short walk into the centre of Bruton. Leaflets mark out the footpaths leading from the door, so you can stretch your legs mid-journey and enjoy the countryside. Fill your lungs then park yourself by the woodburner in the unfussy modern restaurant, or bag a table on the terrace to listen to the brook bubbling past while you spot the local wildlife.

If you’re travelling with kids, call ahead and they could be treated to a tour of the polytunnel where they can pick their own ingredients.