HEDGERLEY.

This is an excellent pub not far from Heathrow and well worth a stop off if you get to London early for your flight - or indeed for real refreshment once you fly in. Just off Junc 2 of the M40, you get to this pub down a narrow country lane and the pub is next to the vicarage. There is a car park, but it gets full easily and there is little parking elsewhere. The villagers are very accommodating and do not seem to mind a little bad parking, but do watch the verges. You can enter the pub from the front where you get to choose between the public and lounge bars, or form the rear, where you can still see the original stable door serving hatch. This rear garden area has an awning which is heated to add extra seating for what is a small country pub. The public bar is a small flagstone area with inglenook seat. The lounge is also small but wide and can fill up quickly. The lounge has dark wood furniture and dark carpet. The low ceiling adds to the gloom, but this is one of the pub's charms. The walls of course have local photos and other bits and bobs on them. The beers here are served direct form the barrel which are no stillage in the area behind the bar. There are 6 real ales on gravity - two of which are regulars. The rest range from local to further afield. All are served in handled mugs - to the brim. They also do a regular Belgian beer which changes regularly. Food - both hot and cold buffet - is available here at lunch times till about 2.15, though if there is a queue or you smile nicely they may extend it. No food in the evenings though. They have a beer festival during the spring bank holiday with up to 100 ales. Children are welcome in the garden or patio area if well behaved. There is no music in this pub.