THE CAMP HOUSE INN AT GRIMLEY

Grimley village

Camp Lane

WR2 6LX

Tel: 01905 640288

YOU can sum up everything about the Camp pub with the description ‘rural charm’.

It is one of those tucked-away old-fashioned country inns, welcoming all with open arms and an easy, comfy charm – like an eccentric uncle.

Found at the very end of Camp Lane at Grimley, near Worcester, it nestles on the west bank of the river Severn where customers can sit back and take in the very best of county scenery.

You can get there as easily on foot as by any other means, with perhaps the biggest hazard only getting inside by having to sidestep the resident wandering chickens.

When we dined, there was live music outside, which left a bit of room inside to find a seat.

Indoors was cosy, with many nooks and corners in which to find a table – including a novelty Space Invaders computer game table – although most were polished wood, at home with the venue’s rustic style.

Indeed, this is not a place for starters and desserts, dare I say, it is simply a place to eat good, honest food, and sup good honest beer.

There were cobs (sandwiches) wrapped on the bar for the casual luncher, but dinner is served from the bar menu with evening service starting at about 6pm.

There is a specials board, but both I and my partner went for choices from the solid-sounding Mother’s Cooking section of the menu – me for the chilli con carne (£7), and my partner going for the steak pie (£7).

I like my chilli, and I like my chilli spicy, and the Camp’s chef did not disappoint – indeed the menu warned rather indiscriminately: “Warning: Hot rating varies” – I would guess depending on the different chefs’ tastes.

It was through watering eyes, and down to the last two spoonfuls that I answered a woman queuing at the bar who asked me: “Is it spicy?”, to which I deliriously replied: “It is!” She ordered something else.

The chilli was a journeyman dish, chunky, spicy, and wellblended – not too watery, not too many tomatoes.

It was served with some decent salad, but some quite bland chips.

My partner’s chips seem to have fared as badly, but her steak pie was, as promised, chock full of beefsteak and dribbling, thick gravy – tender and luxuriant, with a crumbling, yielding, fresh crust of pastry to savour.

The pie also came with a salad, but other options are available and if you bring youngsters, portion sizes can be tailored to fit – just ask the friendly bar staff when ordering.

The pub was busy when we visited and the food took 45 minutes to arrive, after 10 minutes queuing at the bar.

But the laid-back ambience, with the last lazy rays of sunlight drifting through the windows, made me feel this is a pub where the unhurried might go – and feel better for a chance to sit back and watch the world, and its many characters, go by.

HOW IT RATED

Food 3

Ambience 5

Value for Money 4

Service 3