I have got to share this gem of a country hotel with you all, The Pear Tree at Purton, which is about 15 minutes outside Swindon. We had been to the Designer Outlet for a shopping spree, after a few hours, hunger got the better of us, we could have had fish and chips or various other fast food options that are available there but we wanted to make our day special as this is not something we do together very often. A quick look on the internet via our phones pulled up Swindonweb.com and a page called the creme de le creme in Swindon and on this we found The Pear Tree which has 2 AA Rosettes. We then checked Tripadvisor and that was enough to know we must try their food. A quick phone call and we were on our way.
The hotel is hidden away in very pretty countryside not something you just drive past, the outside of the building is very pretty, as you walk in the warmth of the place greets you, as does a really nice welcome from Tim on the front desk whom i think may be the manager.
We could have gone into the lounge but as were really hungry we went straight into the dining room, it looks quite formal and a little old-fashioned but that is all part of its charm, there is nothing old-fashioned about the food or the service, I would call it relaxed elegance and we loved it.
As we sat chatting waiting for our meal to arrive, you do feel all the stress of the outside world slip away, you look across to beautiful gardens and a lovely pond with a tranquil water feature.
Lunch is a set menu, you can have one course for £11.50 or two courses for £16.50 which includes coffee, you can have all three and coffee for £23 we went for two courses. We had decided to skip starters and go for a main course and a desert followed by coffee, we have in some pubs paid more than this for just a main course, so we found the pricing very good. When the food arrived we were delighted pleasing to the eye and beautifully cooked with full flavours, I had chicken which was moist and tasted great, John had the sea bream with a great chorizo based sauce, each dish had lots of attention to detail that made it feel and taste special. Our desserts did not let us down, nothing bought in all home-made, John had a chocolate meringue dish and I went for a custard mousse both excellent followed by really good coffee not just a cup but a small pot between us.
We had a half bottle of wine as John had to drive, it is not often you can buy half bottle so this again was very helpful, as they did not have the bottle we wanted already chilled they offered us a very nice Chablis at the same price, which is excellent customer service
As we finished our meal we both really wished we were staying as we could have strolled the gardens and then gone and sat in front of the log fire in the library with a good book each, and then enjoyed no doubt another superb meal.
If you want to take a step back from the bustle of town life and enjoy some amazing food with fantastic service you really must try this place I know we shall be returning and maybe try to stay over so we can spoil ourselves. Well-done Tim and your team, and thank you.
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