AS we entered the Marlborough Head Inn in Dedham, we were, straight away, enveloped by its warmth.

The fire roared in the hearth, the barmaid welcomed us with an inviting smile and the old timbers in the historic building told silently of centuries of hospitality.

My husband knew he had arrived at his spiritual home when he saw the pumps offering Green King IPA and Adnams Ghostship ale. Life was good and was only going to get better as we settled down next to one of the fires for a traditional lunch.

The 16th century Grade II* listed building, sitting proudly at the centre of the picturesque village, has been an inn since 1704.

It was named after the Duke of Marlborough who had enjoyed a famous victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in that year. And while landlords have come and gone, the name, and much of the pub, has stayed the same for more than 300 years.

The Marlborough Head has two bars and a restaurant along with a comfortable lounge area where hours can be lost on beer and banter.

It also has three bedrooms – appropriately named after Dedham’s famous painters, Constable and Munnings, and the nearby River Stour– and has been awarded three stars by the AA and Visit England.

The inn is as traditional as you like, quintessentially English, and so was the food.

The classically British menu offered butcher’s choice sausage and mash, braised lambs liver and smoked haddock fishcakes.

There is nothing clever or modern about the menu – no deconstructions, no cleverly cut carrots, just satisfyingly good food.

For starters I chose homemade breaded brie wedges (yes, a nod to France despite the previous conflicts) while my husband, happily supping his pint, went for farmhouse pate. Both were delicious. My brie was light, oozing and offset perfect with a sweet cranberry dip while my husband’s pate was deep and smooth.

For my main course, I chose steak and kidney pudding while my husband chose wild game pie.

My pudding was sublime. It was light and crumbly and the meat was full of flavour and melted in the mouth. I can give the meat gravy no higher compliment than to say it was the closest I have tasted to my grandmother’s in many years.

My husband’s game pie was also flavoursome.

We dallied over our meals, savouring each mouthful.

Bellies contentedly full, we took a short break before embarking on pudding. I use the term pudding deliberately.

Dessert implies something more upper class and exotic.

Our puddings were again a selection of down to earth British favourites. We opted for the brownies and the syrup sponge and sat again in indulgent silence.

The Marlborough Head Inn is unashamedly traditional with all that brings with it.

Honest, flavoursome food which is hedonistically satisfying. I will return to the Marlborough Head every time I want to step back in time to when life was simple and good.

THE BILL

Homemade breaded Brie wedges £6.25
Farmhouse Pate £5.85
Steak and Kidney Pudding £10.95
Wild Game Pie £11.95
Chocolate Brownies £5.55
Syrup Sponge and custard £5.55

THE VERDICT

Atmosphere  4/5
Food  5/5
Decor  3/5
Service  5/5
Value  4/5