The Pelican Inn, Froxfield, Wiltshire

It continued to rain as I left the canal path but the sun came out and a few moments later I stood at the edge of the Pelican car park, damp and yet curiously dry mouthed.  Inside, I was the first customer for the friendly barmaid who frowned when I chose the Banker’s Draft (my accent threw her).

It is a big, modern pub and the character is kind of minimal which serves as a warning about ill-advised refurbishment (this is a 350 year old inn, but you would guess it was built in the early 1970s).  Still, they have good beverages and the food gets great reviews.