THE Farriers Arms is ideally situated within Worcester, tucked away down a quiet side street, but moments away from the bustling heart of the city.

According to one authority, the premises in Fish Street has been a pub or beer house since at least 1790, trading under various names over the years.

And this historic aspect is reflected in the building itself, its interior resplendent with wooden beams, and the walls decked with pictures and other mementoes harking back to Worcester’s past.

I entered the Farriers on a bright autumn afternoon not long before 1pm - and to my surprise found that there was only one table for two left in the pub’s lounge.

All the other tables were taken by couples and larger groups, many of whom already had their meals in front of them and were eagerly tucking in.

The pub offered three ales on handpumps, all of them known names to the beer lover: an Otter, one from St Austell Brewery in Cornwall, and - the local favourite - Wye Valley Brewery’s always-refreshing Hereford Pale Ale.

The menu offered a selection of food, from sandwiches to full meals, all very modestly priced, with no single item exceeding £10 in cost. It was also thoughtfully compiled with a range of appetites in mind.

The sandwiches come with a side-salad, and there were hot ciabatta melts and jacket potatoes for those who want something more filling, as well as a range of burgers, some salads, and a range of classic pub favourites including chilli con carne, fish and chips, and gammon and chips.

I opted for the warm chicken, smoked bacon and avocado salad with honey and mustard dressing (£8), and did not have to wait long for it to be served.

It was generously dressed - a salad with too little dressing is a grey experience - and the chicken meat was good and succulent, the bacon pieces a good cut of back meat and the avocado at the right level of ripeness.

The overall portion was exactly the right size for my appetite, with plenty of crunchy greenery offsetting the meatier ingredients.

I was clearly not the only one enjoying his meal; the barman and waitress - the only two visible staff- were told several times by various customers how much they had enjoyed their meals.

The staff members were brisk, efficient and friendly. Tables were cleared and wiped clean as soon as they were vacated, and they clearly had a good rapport with the clientele, many of whom appeared to be retired.

And why not? The Farriers seemed to offer a lunch experience that would be exactly what the older customers would require: good portions of decent food served at competitive prices in friendly surroundings.

But don’t run away with the idea that this would be no place for the younger generation. As long as you are not looking for anything flashy or presumptuous, this is an ideal spot for anyone looking for a reviving and filling midday meal.