Lunch at The Fish recently reminded us why this special place, and indeed the entire Farncombe Estate, has built such a loyal following. As always, when we enter one of the beautifully styled spaces across the Estate, the welcome was warm and effortless, the kind of genuine hospitality that immediately puts you at ease.

The Bar & Lounge at The Fish has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, with cosy corners and inviting fireplaces creating a laidback space that feels both stylish and comfortable. It has that easy vibe of a place where people settle in, feel right at home, and just enjoy.

That rare genuine service

Service at The Fish is second to none, not only in the Cotswolds but far beyond. Once again, the team delivered with that rare blend of professionalism and genuine warmth. The staff are attentive, friendly and instinctively helpful, and as we ordered from the new bar menu, they catered beautifully to my vegan requests as well as my partner’s vegetarian choices, making thoughtful suggestions and ensuring everything was just right.

As if served in a little Italian pizzeria

We had come to try the new pizzas from the Bar & Lounge menu, and they were exceptional. Light, perfectly crisp bases topped with vibrant ingredients and cooked just right. In fact, if someone had quietly told us they had come straight from a small neighbourhood pizzeria tucked away down a cobbled street in Italy, we would have believed them. The balance of flavour, the quality of the toppings and the perfect crust made every bite pure pleasure.

Linger over lunch

The whole experience captured what makes The Fish so appealing and what makes us come back again and again and again. It is relaxed but refined, welcoming yet polished, with food that feels thoughtful and elevated without being pretentious. It is the sort of place where you can happily linger over lunch, with a drink in hand, enjoying the atmosphere and the sense that you are free to put your feet up and truly relax.

Go, just go

Now, do yourself a favour: Go and take on that space, go and enjoy the vibe, and most importantly, go and try those pizzas for yourself.

∙ BOOK YOURSELF IN AND CHECK THE MENU HERE ∙