Popular with cyclists, walkers and locals, The Cowper Arms pub and restaurant in Cole Green Hertfordshire, has all the charm of a traditional English pub with filling food and a warming atmosphere.
The pub, which sits beside a disused railway line that passes through Hertingfordbury, Letty Green and Welwyn Garden City, isn't unfamiliar to me. In fact, over the summer, Ben and myself often found ourselves sat outside in the beer garden, catching the last of the afternoon sun on many occasion while digging into our favourite dishes.
Speaking of favourite dishes, I was initially concerned The Cowper Arms would have scrapped my go-to main of battered halloumi with twice-cooked chunky chips (£11.75), following a week-long refurbishment earlier this month. But despite the sleek makeover, the menu is relatively the same and, I'm pleased to say the battered halloumi is here to stay.
Yet the entrance, dining room, bar and toilets have had a stylish revamp. And I was all for it. From the pendent ceiling lights, subway tiles, marble countertops, copper accents and mix of leather and velvet studded chairs, they got it right. The venue now boasts a whole new contemporary look.
Whether you want fine dining, or classic pub food, The Cowper Arms offer a selection of great food that comes well portioned and presented. Including hand stretched pizzas (from £10.95), chicken and leek pie (£14.50), home-made British beef burgers (£12.95) and 9oz rib-eye steak (£20.95), which Ben described as 'beautiful', yes really. And if you're feeling bougie, you can add on lobster too and with a much more palatable price tag (£8.95). And I want to put great emphasis on the quality of its food, as whatever you order it's always really tasty.
And if like me you like a good ol' gin and tonic, they've got a vast line-up of floral, fruity and dry gin. Want an interesting gin to order at the bar? Try a raspberry gin and ginger ale - it's surprisingly good.
London has an abundance of pubs with good grub, but when it comes to cosy pubs, you can't beat the countryside. So if you're passing through Hertfordshire, or fancy visiting, be sure to book and order the sticky toffee pudding (£6.50), as its mouth-wateringly delicious.
Station Road, Cole Green, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 2NL
Visit thecowperarmscolegreen.co.uk
What's your go-to pub dish?
Emily
*This post was in collaboration with The Cowper Arms.
