The Jolly Farmer is a traditional English pub located in Cliddesden that is fighting to keep the legacy of English pubs alive as many are closing. It captures the essence of a country pub with its exterior blending into the rolling green fields and interior featuring dark beams, fireplaces, and portraits depicting country life. The menu offers classic pub dishes at reasonable prices like homemade burgers for £10.50 and fish and chips for £9.50. The Jolly Farmer exceeds expectations with its attention to detail, presentation, service, and overall country charm, making it a welcoming and affordable English country pub celebrating rural life.

1. Joanne Jones 1200284 CW2213 Media Writing
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REVIEW
The Jolly Farmer
It is a sad state of affairs when you hear that the traditional English pub is in terrible decline.
Supermarkets offering ridiculously low-cost alcohol, pubco giants offering cheap rent before
squeezing the life out of their tenants, and the government’s tax increases are just too much
weight on the shoulders of the English pub.
The sight of quaint thatched public houses with their crackling fireplaces and cosy seats are
sadly becoming a thing of the past. The reputable Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) released
its figures that show up to twelve pubs are closing each week. They state pubs have been hit
by an inflation-busting 42% increase in beer duty since 2008, making CAMRA all the more
determined to push its beer drinkers to sign an e-petition to call an end to above inflation
increases in beer tax.
It is my hope that in years to come, charming local pubs like The Jolly Farmer in Cliddesden,
named after the very men who frequented it, will still be here, fighting to keep the legacy of
the English pub alive.
Only a short distance from Basingstoke, you would think The Jolly Farmer was a million
miles from town life. Set in a backdrop of rolling green fields and winding roads, it captures
the very essence of a traditional English pub. Following a recent bit of TLC, the paint looks
clean and fresh and I am pleased to say, blends in perfectly with its surroundings. Choosing
to stick to natural colours on the outside, finished off with big black traditional lettering and
hanging lights, it certainly retains the ‘country pub’ image.
The inside looks just as good as the outside with its blend of beiges and browns, original dark
beams and iron and brick fireplaces and portraits depicting the quainter side of country life.

2. Joanne Jones 1200284 CW2213 Media Writing
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The lack of usual tacky accessories leaves the dining area feeling cosy without the
claustrophobic clutter.
A trait often seen by Chef Gordon Ramsey, The Jolly Farmer offers a ‘goldilocks’ menu; not
too big and not too small. It is a mistake seen all too often where smaller establishments offer
menus more suited to large London restaurants, with over-complicated dishes and inflated
prices to match.
There are only five starters, ranging from £5.00 to £7.50 and eight mains, from £8.75 to
£16.50. On the former, the steamed rope-grown mussels with chorizo, tomato and garlic
butter (£7.50) is exquisite, and comes with a basket of fresh baked bread to soak up the
melted butter. The homemade watercress and potato soup, also with fresh baked bread
(£5.00) is delicious and creamy and comes with a sprinkling of croutons; a perfect winter
warmer. There’s also assorted wild mushrooms served on olive bread (£6.50) and fried
halloumi with tomato risotto and dressed leaves for £6.75.
The mains cover most of your traditional pub delights. The homemade French fries (just like
Mama’s) are crispy but not greasy and taste divine dipped in the homemade mayonnaise; a
welcome change from the wobbly white gunk served in most places. They accompany one
the most satisfying, tasty homemade burgers I have ever had the pleasure of eating. The
succulent meat comes lovingly dressed with homemade red onion confit, horseradish
mayonnaise and melted brie (£10.50). They also work very well with the crispy, seasoned
battered fish and homemade tartare sauce for a reasonable £9.50.
Then there’s Supreme of Chicken ‘Forestiere;’ braised chicken breast with smoked bacon,
wild mushrooms, and potato in a thyme jus (£12.50) and smoked haddock kedgeree in a light
curry sauce (£11.50). If that is not enough, there are also three specials on offer that change
on a daily basis. These range from pan-friend local pheasant breast, stornoway black pudding,

3. Joanne Jones 1200284 CW2213 Media Writing
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creamed potato and red wine poached pear (£12.50) to fried fresh haddock and parsley
fishcakes with a mixed salad and tartare sauce (£8.75).
The dessert menu was sparse compared to the main menu and did not offer as many ‘country
classics’ as I would have liked. Saying that, the apple and vanilla crumble is steaming hot and
literally melts in the mouth. My only complaint is that it might have been nice with custard
instead of ice-cream. The warm chocolate brownie with ice-cream and fruit compote tastes
like heaven with its warm doughy inside and slightly crunchy outside. Then there is
homemade crème brulee and homemade pear and almond tart. All the desserts are a bargain
at only £4.75.
The Jolly Farmer continued to thrill with its fine selection of real ales and extensive (although
slightly pricey) wine list and service with a smile. The clientele is a mixture of friendly
country folk, families and retirees, along with a splattering of drinkers enjoying the warm and
cosy atmosphere.
The Jolly Farmer exceeds all expectations with the attention to detail, presentation and
delivery of food, great service and its overall country charm. Putting all these qualities
together has determined it as a wholesome, welcoming and affordable English country pub,
which celebrates rural life in all its glory.
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