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The Bricklayers Arms

“Country inn with Anglo-French cuisine”

LOCATION

FLAUNDEN, HERTFORDSHIRE

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The creeper-clad Bricklayers Arms evolved from early 18th-century cottages that, in 1832, the former Benskin’s brewery had part-converted into an alehouse. Additional conversions took place in the 1970s, with remaining outbuildings and barn becoming the restaurant more recently. Like The Nags Head 10 miles away in Flaunden, it’s owned by the Michaels family. Featuring in many films and TV programmes, the pub is a favourite with locals, walkers, horse-riders and, well, just about everyone, an obvious reason being the array of locally brewed real ales and locally sourced produce. Past the ivy-covered façade is an immaculate interior, with low beams, exposed brickwork, open fires and candlelight, although on a warm, sunny day a drink or a meal in the terraced, flower-filled garden would be hard to beat. Traditional English and French cooking in the award-winning AA Rosetted restaurant is masterminded by head chef Claude Paillet. With nearly 140 wines and champagnes to browse, the ideal accompaniment for your meal will jump off the page. Start with a sharing board of Mediterranean charcuterie; or ballotine of sea trout with crab and crayfish and saffron cream, followed by risotto of the day; or slow cooked pork cutlet with a min pork pie, black pudding and apple bonbon.

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AA Pick of the Pubs

The Bricklayers Arms

Hogpits Bottom, FLAUNDEN, HP3 0PH

Phone: 01442 833322

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Discover Hertfordshire

As Hertfordshire is so close to London, many of its towns have become commuter havens. St Albans, less than 19 miles (30km) from the capital, has retained its distinctive character, along with many historic remains. The Roman city of Verulamium is situated in a nearby park, and excavations have revealed an amphitheatre, a temple, parts of the city walls and some house foundations. There are also some amazing mosaic pavements.

The abbey church at St Albans is thought to have been built on the same site where St Alban met his martyrdom in the 3rd century. The abbey was founded in 793 by King Offa of Mercia, and contains the saint’s shrine, made of Purbeck marble. Lost for years, it was discovered in the 19th century, in pieces, and restored by the designer of the red telephone box, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The abbey also contains some wonderful medieval wall paintings. Nicholas Breakspear was born in St Albans, the son of an abbey tenant. In 1154 he took the name Adrian IV, and became the first, and so far only, English pope. Another famous son of Hertfordshire was Sir Francis Bacon, Elizabethan scholar and Lord High Chancellor, born in Hemel Hempstead in 1561.