A Visit to Hertfordshire's Dining Pub of the Year

The Alford Arms has won more than it's fair share of accolades over the years, including Hertfordshire Dining Pub of the Year in the 2010 Good Pub Guide.

Located in Frithsden, not far from Berkhampstead and surrounded by the scenic countryside and woodlands of Ashridge, one of a small number of National Trust properties in Hertfordshire, the route to the Alford Arms is worthwhile in it's own right. The narrow country lanes, with hedge rows either side, which lead to Firthsden from Redbourn would be perfect for cycling although we were travelling with kids so decided to take the car. 

The 12km journey from St. Albans is around a 25 minutes drive, although this can depend on how good you are on narrow country roads, and how many times you have to stop for ongoing traffic which can include tractors, horses, and today a hunting party carrying rifles and freshly shot pheasant. We also saw a herd of deer in the forest, not far from the Alford Arms.

We'd heard, and read, good things about the Alford Arms, but were also aware that arriving without a booking can often lead to disappointment. Happily, they were able to accommodate our party of two adults and two toddlers in the bar area. The menu is full of locally sourced produce and meets, including "Chiltern Rabbit Cornish Pastry with Piccalilli" (£6.50) as a small plate and mains such as "Slow Cooked Stockings Farm Pork Belly with Creamed Savoy Cabbage, Firthsden Apple Sauce and Crackling (£13.50) and "Chiltern Game Hotpot with Hot and Sour Cabbage and Parsnip Crisps" (£14.25).

We went for the "Chicken Breast Stuffed with Bread Sauce and Herb Sausage on Buttered Chard with Spiced Cauliflower Puree" (£15.25) which our toddlers happily shared between them, a 21 day aged "Buckinghamshire Rib-eye Steak with Bearnaise Butter, Sarratt Watercress and Hand-cut Chips" (£17.75) and - for the vegetarian in the group - a "Butternut Squash, Leek and Chestnut Suet Pudding with Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Roast Vine Tomato Sauce" (£11.50).

We had high hopes, given the elegant wording of the imaginative menu, and were not disappointed. The chicken was succulent and beautifully presented, the steak was char-grilled to perfection, and the vegetarian pudding - which we have to admit was a bit of a surprise when it came out - was absolutely delicious.

The Alford Arms has, in addition to the real ales and country atmosphere you'd hope and expect from a place like this, quite a good wine list as well.

The whole experience, including the service, which was friendly and efficient, made for a great meal out and we'd certainly not hesitate to recommend the Alford Arms. Indeed, we'd go beyond that to suggest that it's a pub eating experience that simply should not be missed.

The Alford Arms is located at Frithsden, Hertfordshire, HP1 3DD. Booking a table is not just recommended but often essential, particularly if you wish to eat in the restaurant - phone (01442) 864480 to book. Their website has further details and photos of the pub: http://www.alfordarmsfrithsden.co.uk/index.php