WE HAD planned a river walk prior to our visit to The Lamb at Buckland but failed to give this idea as much thought as we should have done.

As the River Thames acts as the northern boundary to this attractive little village, we had to abort any idea of a walk on seeing the flood waters.

We walked round the village instead. Actually this proved a good idea, as Buckland is an atmospheric little village just four miles north-east of Faringdon, which dates back to before the Domesday Book.

It boasts a superb church with some splendid stained glass windows and an abundance of thatched cottages. It seemed every house and cottage we passed had a name rather than a number.

This fact was verified when we examined the Buckland map displayed close to the public car park in the centre of the village on which every building is identified and named, including The Lamb.

The Lamb, which is believed to date from the 17th century, though some say the 18th, is reached by taking Lamb Lane on the eastern edge of the village.

This historic pub, built in Cotswold stone has a large car park at the rear, a charming patio garden and a stylish restaurant, though I usually eat in the bar, which thanks to a crackling fire is warm and cosy. Certainly the right place for lunch.

It was some years since I had visited The Lamb. On previous visits I always joked about the fact the menu contained almost anything I wanted except lamb. This didn’t happen on this trip.

The menu presented to Uncle John and I included pan-roasted rump of lamb with Berlotti and Chorizo broth at £18.50. It also offered us a fine assortment of freshly-cooked dishes including devilled kidneys (£5.50), pork terrine (£5.50), Dexter sirloin steak (£19.95), chargrilled rib eye (£18.95), roast breast of local pheasant (£12.95) and ox cheek at £11.50.

Uncle John ordered grilled fillet of smoked haddock with leek and mustard potato cake, pancetta crisp, poached egg and parsley cream (£15.25), which I considered to be a rather a fussy dish, but he seemed to enjoy it.

I had fish and chips (£11.95) after a conversation with one of the Buckland residents during our village walk who declared that The Lamb cooked the best fish and chips in Oxfordshire. She said that she often called in to purchase a portion as a takeaway.

Well, I am not sure I would have awarded my meal that accolade, but the fish was fresh and tasty, the batter crisp and the chips nice and crunchy. The warm bread which tasted home-made and was served free was superb.

To go with our lunch, we drank White Horse Nelson IPA (4.5%) which matched our fish dishes perfectly. Barnaby had a nice bowl of Earl Grey tea. Talking to locals in the bar, we agreed that The Lamb was a very happy pub which served some splendid meals and was getting busier by the day.

Well, we certainly enjoyed our visit.

The Lamb at Buckland. See lambatbuckland.com or call 01367 870484