Gloucestershire &amp; Worcestershire

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5088" src="https://glos.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-exterior-2-min.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-exterior-2-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-exterior-2-min-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-exterior-2-min-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-exterior-2-min-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
THE LOCATION
The old Saxon hamlet of Cricklade is a short gallop away from both Cirencester and Swindon, and has the honour of being the first town on the Thames as it flows towards London. Back in 1821 the journalist William Cobbett described it as “a villainous hole”, which is rather harsh! In fact, it’s an attractive (its Latin motto In Loco Delicioso translates as ‘in a pleasant place’) place with a laid-back feel and a rare wet meadow where you can spot snake’s head fritillaries. <a href="https://www.thecrickladeclub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Cricklade Club</a> is bang in the centre on the high street.
THE VIBE
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5095" src="https://glos.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-main-tables-min.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-main-tables-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-main-tables-min-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-main-tables-min-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-main-tables-min-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
There’s something of the California eaterie going on here spliced with quirky English charm. Owner Talia Maddison and her husband Simon have an eye for the unusual and aren’t afraid to mix things up.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5082" src="https://glos.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-counter-2-min.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-counter-2-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-counter-2-min-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-counter-2-min-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-counter-2-min-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Tables and chairs are a hotchpotch of retro styles, copper and enamel lampshades create a mellow ambience and dark green walls are the perfect backdrop for eclectic art, including a print of Warhol’s Marilyn and a massive gold-framed oil painting from 1847 which Simon picked up years ago (son of an antiques dealer…).
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5106" src="https://glos.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-snug-min.jpg" alt="Victorian oil painting leather sofas" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-snug-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-snug-min-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-snug-min-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-snug-min-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
SCOFF &amp; QUAFF
The daytime menu is a brunch-style offering of daily scrambles, pancake stacks, Buddha bowls of healthy stuff, soup and daily specials.
<div id="attachment_5094" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5094" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-5094" src="https://glos.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-kitchen-min.jpg" alt="kitchen preparation area" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-kitchen-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-kitchen-min-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-kitchen-min-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-kitchen-min-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />The kitchen feels like home with a big pine table and dresser</div>
Talia is an accomplished chef – she’s been running her own catering company <a href="http://www.cotswoldcooks.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cotswold Cooks</a> for since the 1980s – and she’s passed on her skills to her daughter and niece who, under her watchful eye, run The Cricklade Club’s kitchen and have a bit of fun mixing things up and experimenting. On Friday and Saturday nights, they cook up feasts with British, Mediterranean and American flavours that are well worth booking ahead for.
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5101" src="https://glos.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-reserved-min-1-2.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1000" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-reserved-min-1-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-reserved-min-1-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-reserved-min-1-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-reserved-min-1-2-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
We rocked up for Sunday brunch and were in seventh heaven with pancakes stacks, scrambled eggs and sautéed Portobello mushrooms and a Mexican-style tortilla.
<div id="attachment_5110" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5110" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-5110" src="https://glos.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/kids-brunch.jpg" alt="brunch food of scrambled eggs bacon and maple syrup pancakes tortilla with poached egg and avocado" width="1000" height="375" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/kids-brunch.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/kids-brunch-150x56.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/kids-brunch-300x113.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/kids-brunch-720x270.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />Daily scrambles; pancake stack; and Rancho Tostado</div>
I opted for the celeriac and truffle oil soup which was a generous, lip-smacking bowl that filled me up for the rest of the day, while Mr M went for the Christmas special turkey stuffing and bacon melt, washed down with a Beaver Town Neck Oil ale brewed by Robert Plant’s son, just one of an impressive selection of craft ales and beer. And there&#8217;s lots of gin and wine choice at the bar too if you&#8217;re not an ale fan.
<div id="attachment_5111" style="width: 2010px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5111" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-5111 size-full" src="https://glos.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/soup-and-brioche.jpg" alt="soup and turkey stuffing and bacon melt" width="2000" height="1000" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/soup-and-brioche.jpg 2000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/soup-and-brioche-150x75.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/soup-and-brioche-300x150.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/soup-and-brioche-720x360.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" />Celeriac soup and turkey stuffing and bacon melt</div>
For pudding, we wolfed down blueberry cheesecake, pain au chocolate, chocolate flapjack and gluten-free carrot cake.
<div id="attachment_5112" style="width: 1007px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5112" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-5112 size-full" src="https://glos.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-cakes-min-1-e1514040183523.jpg" alt="cake display" width="997" height="540" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-cakes-min-1-e1514040183523.jpg 997w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-cakes-min-1-e1514040183523-150x81.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-cakes-min-1-e1514040183523-300x162.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-cakes-min-1-e1514040183523-720x390.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" />The cake course</div>
Everything was beautifully cooked with most of the ingredients sourced from nearby producers, including the organic family farm in nearby Purton. It’s wonderfully unfussy, home-style cooking (well, not my home, but the home of someone who’s a very good cook) and Talia’s passion for good food is infectious.
She’s a real celebrator of culinary pleasure and invites guest chefs in for pop-up nights, supper clubs and foodie events. For January she’s planning on putting some recipes from Tom Kerridge’s Dopamine diet on the menu, an eating plan that’s all about boosting your happiness which pretty much sums up the spirit of The Cricklade Club.
ANYTHING ELSE?
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5087" src="https://glos.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-events-room-min.jpg" alt="party venue" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-events-room-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-events-room-min-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-events-room-min-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-events-room-min-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
There’s a fab venue space for hire at the back which would be a great place for a party (120 sit down, 220 standing), and Simon runs an events agency, Planet Pursuits, which can organise dance floors, table decorations, disco lighting, bands, acts, even casinos.
KID-FRIENDLY?
I&#8217;d say so. It’s incredibly relaxed and spacious here, so marauding toddlers would fit right in. There’s a great ‘snug’ area with squashy sofas to sink into and a retro kids’ desk – I can just see jaded parents fuelling up on good food and caffeine here while the offspring draw away. The kids’ menu with the like of chocolate chip pancakes, scrambles and cheese on toast is a sure&#8211;fire winner.
<div id="attachment_5093" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5093" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-5093 size-full" src="https://glos.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-kids-desk-min.jpg" alt="vintage desk for children" width="1000" height="1000" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-kids-desk-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-kids-desk-min-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-kids-desk-min-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/12/Cricklade-kids-desk-min-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />Park them here and relax</div>
OUT &amp; ABOUT
As mentioned above, you’re right next to North Meadow, a 150-acre nature reserve between two rivers, the Thames and the Churn, which thanks to winter flooding means it preserves 80 per cent of Britain’s wild snake’s head fritillaries, beautifully coloured drooping tulips which come into flower from March to May. You’re also bang in the middle between the east and west sections of the Cotswold Water Park, a wonderland of aquatic entertainment.
THE MUDDY VERDICT
Good for: Families, relaxed get-togethers with friends (there’s a lovely big, homely table that I reckon you could get ten round), soothing, morning-after refuelling – the food and ambience is made for curing hangovers
Not for: Posh, formal dining – you’re in chill-out mode here, so if you’re after a culinary blow-out, this ain’t the place.
The damage: Very good value – mains were £6.95, everything on the kids’ menu was £4.50, cakes were around £2.
<a href="https://www.thecrickladeclub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Cricklade Club</a>, 38 High Street, Cricklade, Wilts SN6 6AY. Tel: 01793 299079. For venue hire email: <a href="mailto:theclub@planetpursuits.com">theclub@planetpursuits.com</a>

The Cricklade Club

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