Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol pub crawl: The Queens, Chew Magna
Buses running to Chew Magna from Bristol might be limited but there’s certainly no shortage of gastronomic options once you arrive in this idyllic village.
The main high street, South Parade, features the acclaimed Lazy Lobster restaurant, along with pubs, cafes and Jar’s, a deli and plastic-free shop.
But it’s down a lesser-trodden side street, behind the village’s historic church, to The Queens that the Bristol24/7 A-Z pub crawl takes us to on a recent sunny Sunday.
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A hidden location it might be, but word has got around about this recently refurbished gastro pub now owned by the Eggleton family, which is full of families and couples happily chatting over a lunchtime roast.
A lone man facing the bar wears a red hat as he scans the weekend paper. A half-full pint of beer on the table in front of him, he’s one of the few in the pub not eating and has the contented air of someone who has comfortably staked out the perfect spot for the afternoon and has no intention of moving.
Outside, the neatly-tended garden running next to the skittle alley behind the pub is comparatively quiet. A couple sits at one of the wooden picnic tables, soaking up the spring sunshine over a leisurely lunch with their baby.
The garden of The Queens is a good spot to while away a sunny afternoon
Sunday lunch is a serious affair at this gastro pub, with options such as Coombe Farm rare organic sirloin (£18.50) and Chew Valley Story Farm pork belly (£17.50) – each with all the trimmings – on the main menu, while starters include the likes of marinated beetroot with ricotta (£6) and Thai-style steamed mussels (£7.50).
They might not be mentioned on the printed menu but a blackboard behind the bar lists snacks, from pickled eggs to a Somerset salami stick.
The olives when they are brought out to the garden by a smiling member of staff are plump, ripe and full of flavour, and served with a glass of fresh, crisp breadsticks (£3.50).
There are a number of local brews to choose from on the drinks menu, including Bristol Beer Factory Independence, Wild Beer Company’s Wild IPA and Thatchers Rascal on draught.
As it is, a pint of cold cider on a warm day goes down a treat with the spiced celeriac, leek and squash wellington veggie roast (£16.50). In itself, the wellington is fairly underwhelming, but the ample trimmings of tender veg, perfectly crisp roast potatoes and a decadent cauliflower cheese with a bubbling brown top, save the day.
The Queens’ vegetarian roast with all the trimmings
Coming out for a wander through the garden after a family meal inside, a small child is deep in negotiations with her mum about what she should have for her birthday.
Down by the river, the birds are singing and it seems stupid not to while away more of a sunny afternoon in this idyllic setting. Just don’t rely on buses to get you there from Bristol on a Sunday.
The Queens is off the beaten track in Chew Magna
The Queens, 12 Silver Street, Chew Magna, BS40 8RQ
01275 627 647
www.thequeenschewmagna.co.uk
All photos: Ellie Pipe
Read more: A-Z Bristol pub crawl: The Pilgrim Inn, Brislington
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