The Crown 

Our mum about town Kelly Jobanputra pays a visit to Broad Hinton to sample some traditional pub food

 

The Crown, Broad Hinton

Review by Kelly Jobanputra

 

Roaring log fire, an oak-beamed library room, delicious food served all-day every day and a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. What’s not to like about The Crown in Broad Hinton?

 

Their exceptional reputation is well known among many people in nearby Swindon but yesterday was the first time I had tried out their Sunday roast dinner with the family.

 

 

With a selection of succulent meats on offer (beef, gammon and turkey), alongside the expected vegetables including carrots, parsnips and Brussels sprouts - my mouth was salivating as soon as I started queuing for the carvery.

 

And I have to say it was every bit as delicious as it looked, plus a good marker for this is when my five year old daughter goes quiet as she eats and nearly finishes her plate. Bliss!

 

The serving chefs were very polite and accommodating to my questions about how the food was prepared and the general layout of this traditional pub meant that the carvery stand was neatly tucked away, not intruding on the space of the tables in the same room.

 

 

I took my dad along with me to this dining experience and was assured that the Hooter (steam beer), which was one of the drinks on offer, went down a treat. He said: “Alex Arkell has really excelled himself with this one. It’s like an old fashioned mild drink but it has a nice happy finish.”

 

As it’s owned by Arkell’s Brewery, The Crown is known for serving several local brewed fine ales. It also offers a vast range of single malt whiskey and locally roasted coffee that you can drink in or take away.

 

Once we all finished our roast dinners, it was time to move onto dessert (well, it would have been rude not to) and these were all just as scrumptious as the main meals.

 

 

We ordered bread and butter pudding, chocolate fudge cake and berry crumble. Dad gets a mention again here as he said his crumble was the best one he had ever had (and I have to say, he is a hard man to please at the best of times!)

 

The crumble was very sweet with a very crunchy, granola type, topping and the bread and butter pudding had just the right amount of warmth and moisture.

 

The chocolate fudge cake was divine with an icing that left a lingering taste in your mouth long after the last bite.

 

 

But if you don’t fancy a Sunday roast, The Crown also offers a whole list of other traditional pub food and the fact that they have several events going on throughout the year means that many people just like to go for a sit down and a drink.

 

I would certainly gladly go back again and try other dishes and next time, I would probably also take time to enjoy the pretty surroundings that The Crown is situated in as well. It’s all too easy in this day and age to always be in a rush.