Berkswell

A picturesque 16th century timbered pub that focuses on food catering. Low slung ceilings are beamed and there are many rooms with nooks and crannies where you can sit at old dark wood kitchen tables and chairs. The walls are sometimes panelled and have bric-a-brac and prints on them. There are also real fires dotted about for winter warmth, though judging by the amount of custom here sheer body warmth will be enough. Food: on the Sunday we visited it was packed with diners sampling the stilton mushrooms or goat's cheese on toast with salad (both £3.50), other main more courses were rasot beef (£9.95), venison pie (£10.95) and Sea Bass (£13), pricey but the meat courses were worth it (though not the Sunday roast). Poor vegetarian main selection seeing as the starters were wonderful. Beers were good Coach House Flintlock Pale Ale, A Batemans Jolly's brew and one other. Both well kept and worth a visit just to drink, but you will be seated at other times by a waiter come bar person. Outside is a large car park to the rear and seating for 'summer' drinking. The cannon at the front saw service in Crimea. No accommodation here. Access for the disabled is not good.

Additional Notes:	*Correction to the Bear Inn, Berkswell. The food is average, the waiting time is ridiculous and the manager is totally ignorant! (Mark)*
	The Manager at the Bear was very helpful providing both good food and beer. Using plenty of the latter in his cooking. (2001)
	I dine at the Bear regularly ( I am working away from home) and find the starters , main courses and desserts are imaginative, well-presented, beautifully cooked/prepared and excellent value for money. The beers and wines are also very good, and the service is excellent. A wonderful find. (Martin Jones)
	Mark, shame on you! I think you should go back for a second meal or stick to bacon butties at your local greasy spoon. The food is fantastic and varied, with the "days special" varying with peasant, wild boar and sea bass making regular appearances. Yes it is busy and yes you pay for what you get, but it is well worth it. The best food in Coventry - and no I don't own it, work there or get paid for writing this. (Pamela)
	The Bear has a lovely ambience and as far as pub meals go. The Bear is much less plastic than other pubs. Food is presented well with a varied selection, attracting more discerning clientele. Staff have always been pleasant. (2002)
	I have to say I think the Bear is charming (contrary to Marks view) with great food and smashing ale and fantastic village pub atmosphere ... and seeing as I'm moving to the village in six weeks I look forward to many a pint and meal. (27/03/03)
	My Girlfriend and I travel a round trip of about 50 miles to eat at this idealistic pub, well I cannot really call it a pub, it's a fantastic establishment where there is a variety of fresh food that cannot be challenged anywhere I have eaten before. This is a place of homage to food, yes there is a waiting time incurred, that is due purely to the popularity of freshly cooked produce. Why go somewhere where the food is processed beyond belief and all identical. Each meal her has individuality that is required of an eatery of this class and standard. (21/12/03)
	The Bear used to be an excellent pub for food about 4 or 5 years back. The manager was always accommodating and they had a brilliant chef who produced food of a quality befitting a restaurant. Unfortunately after the passing of his wife the manager left for pastures new and was soon followed by the chef. Now the food menu remains reasonably similar the actual standard of meals has unfortunately declined. In recent years an upstairs bar has been added which, though small creates a better atmosphere for drinkers. There are some regular real ales form the larger brewers and the occasional guest ale which you can't find anywhere else in the area. (MC - 25/03/04)
	What happened to the cannon that was at the entrance of the pub? It was brought back after being captured in the Crimean war? To those of us who have known and used this pub many years ago, going back to the 60s when I was a boy and this pub was still used by the village folk, this loss is dearly felt. (21/11/04)
	I love this pub, food great and my husband proposed to me whilst having a meal there, so it will always be special to us! Our friends love it also. (26/1/05)
	I wholeheartedly agree with comments (MC 25/3/04) Being local to the area for many years, the Bear used to be a wonderful pub where myself and friends idled many a summer away in the garden and winter away by the fires. Since Ian and Franco left, the food is decidedly average and the waiting times far too long. Although the place still seems to be packed - I think it's trading on it it's past reputation. My family have long since abandoned trying to entertain friends there. Although the location and actual building is still great, sadly there are many better place to eat in and around Coventry. Probably best as a drinking pub now if you can find a space to sit down. (20/4/05)
	Now a Chef and brewer house, which says a lot for the food and service now. (7/6/05)