Restaurant in Newbury, United Kingdom
Strong Modern British, skip the London drive.
The Woodspeen is the strongest Modern British option in Berkshire at the £££ tier, with a Michelin Plate, consecutive OAD recognition, and a 540-selection wine list that outperforms most peers in its price bracket. Chef Peter Eaton's seasonal kitchen, built around an on-site garden and a dramatically designed rear dining room, makes it a clear choice for a special occasion within reach of the M4 corridor.
If you're choosing between The Woodspeen and driving into London for a comparable Modern British meal at something like Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London, stop. The Woodspeen delivers cooking at a level that justifies a dedicated trip from almost anywhere along the M4 corridor, at a price point (£££ vs ££££) that makes the comparison look unfavourable for London. It holds a Michelin Plate and has appeared on the Opinionated About Dining Casual Europe list consecutively since 2023, reaching #400 in 2024 and #415 in 2025. For Berkshire, that is a serious benchmark. Book it.
The Woodspeen began as a pub conversion in 2014, and what it has become since is worth understanding before you arrive. The original building — a 19th-century farmhouse — anchors a front bar that remains genuinely intimate, the right place to settle with a pre-dinner drink. Behind it, a Scandic-influenced extension opens up dramatically: vaulted wooden ceiling, skylight overhead, full-length windows onto the kitchen garden, and an open-view kitchen along one wall. Seating runs to smart grey banquettes. The architectural contrast between the old stone exterior and the airy rear dining room is one of the more considered room progressions in the region. For a special occasion, request a table in the extension rather than the front rooms , the spatial drama of that vaulted ceiling adds to the sense of occasion without tipping into formality.
The terrace is a genuine asset in warmer months. If you're visiting between late spring and early autumn, factor it in: cocktails outside before moving to the dining room is the right sequence here, and the house gin , produced from botanicals grown on the property , makes that aperitif moment worth planning around.
Chef Peter Eaton runs a kitchen that works within the seasons and leans on the on-site kitchen garden and local sourcing. The food is Modern British in the sense that matters: direct, technically sound, and built around flavour rather than presentation for its own sake. Roast lamb rump with anchovy emulsion and wild garlic salsa, roast halibut with crispy chicken-skin crumb and Bollinger apple purée, and beef Wellington for two (a standing speciality) are the kinds of dishes that tell you where the kitchen's ambitions sit. These are not safe brasserie dishes dressed up , they show genuine technique applied to good ingredients.
The set menu, available at lunch and on weekday services, is worth highlighting specifically. Reader reports and OAD recognition both point to it delivering meaningful culinary quality at a value-for-money level that few comparable restaurants outside London match at this tier. For first-timers arriving midweek, it is the most efficient way to assess what the kitchen can do. The good-value set menu is not a stripped-down version of the à la carte , the sourcing and craft carry through.
Service quality is a consistent talking point in independent reader feedback: terms like "exemplary" and "attentive without being overbearing" appear repeatedly. That matters on a special occasion booking where the room needs to work as hard as the kitchen. Sourdough arrives with whipped butter and black olive hummus, and the kitchen has been known to replenish it without being asked once appreciation registers. These are the details that separate a polished operation from one that is merely competent.
The wine list at The Woodspeen is one of the strongest arguments for choosing it over peers in its price tier. The program holds a Star Wine List recognition for 2026, which is a verifiable independent credential. Wine Director Edoardo Amadi and Sommelier Huw Williams manage a 540-selection, 4,500-bottle inventory with particular depth in France (Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne), Italy, and California. The list is priced at the middle tier ($$) relative to comparable programs, meaning there is range across price points rather than a list that only rewards big spend. Even entry-level glass pours have drawn specific positive comment for quality. For a celebration dinner where the food and wine pairing matters equally to both sides of the table, this list is a genuine differentiator versus restaurants at the £££ tier in the South of England that treat wine as an afterthought. The sommelier approach , described by independent reviewers as studious and enthusiastic rather than perfunctory , makes the list navigable for guests who want guidance rather than a wine bible to self-research.
The cookery school on-site adds another dimension if you're planning a longer visit or a group occasion that extends beyond a single meal. Berkshire also has other strong dining options nearby , The Vineyard and Goat On The Roof are both worth cross-referencing depending on your occasion and group size. For a broader view of the area, Pearl's Newbury restaurants guide, hotels guide, and bars guide cover the full picture, along with wineries and experiences if you're planning a full weekend.
Among country-house-adjacent restaurants in England, comparators worth knowing include Waterside Inn in Bray, Hand and Flowers in Marlow, and Gidleigh Park in Chagford. For modern British cooking that prioritises seasonal precision at a similar or higher tier, L'Enclume in Cartmel, Moor Hall in Aughton, and hide and fox in Saltwood occupy the reference set. In London, counter-format modern British options like Kitchen Table and Evelyn's Table serve a different brief , more intimate and tasting-menu-led , while Midsummer House in Cambridge and Opheem in Birmingham offer regional alternatives at the upper end.
Address: Lambourn Rd, Woodspeen, Newbury RG20 8BN
Hours: Tuesday 12–9pm | Wednesday 12–9pm | Thursday 12–9:30pm | Friday 12–9:30pm | Saturday 12–9:30pm | Sunday 12–5pm | Monday closed
Price: £££ (mid-tier; set menu offers better-value entry point)
Cuisine: Modern British, Modern Cuisine
Chef: Peter Eaton
Wine Director: Edoardo Amadi | Sommelier: Huw Williams
Wine list: 540 selections, 4,500-bottle inventory , France, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Italy, California, Champagne; mid-range markup; corkage £50
Booking difficulty: Moderate , plan 2–3 weeks ahead for weekend dinner; weekday lunch is more accessible
Access: Located near M4, A34, and A4 , well-positioned for a drive from London or Bristol; set in quiet countryside despite the road proximity
Cookery school: On-site , worth considering for group occasions or a longer stay
Bar: Front bar available pre-dinner; terrace for cocktails in warmer months
Lunch is the stronger value decision, particularly on weekdays when the set menu is available. The kitchen garden sourcing and seasonal cooking translate just as well at midday, and Sunday lunch (12–5pm) is the most accessible service for walk-in or last-minute booking. Dinner on Thursday through Saturday, when the kitchen runs until 9:30pm, is better suited to a special occasion where you want the full à la carte experience and time for the wine program. If budget is a consideration, lunch wins. If occasion and atmosphere are the priority, book a Friday or Saturday evening and arrive early for the bar.
The kitchen works with seasonal and garden-sourced ingredients, which typically means flexibility for adjustments, but the menu is built around proteins and produce rather than a vegetarian or plant-forward framework. Contact the restaurant directly before your visit if you have specific requirements , the service reputation suggests the team will accommodate where possible, but this is not a venue to arrive at with complex restrictions unannounced. There is no confirmed allergy or dietary policy in Pearl's data, so do not assume.
Arrive early and use the front bar , the pre-dinner drink moment is part of the experience, especially if the terrace is open. Request a table in the rear extension for the vaulted ceiling and garden-view room. The set menu is a sensible starting point for a first visit: it shows the kitchen's range without the full à la carte commitment. The wine list is deeper than you might expect at the price point , ask the sommelier for guidance rather than self-selecting. Booking 2–3 weeks out for weekends is advisable; the restaurant draws from across Berkshire and the M4 corridor.
The Woodspeen does not offer a confirmed tasting menu format in Pearl's current data , the kitchen operates on à la carte and set menu terms. What the awards record (consecutive OAD recognition, Michelin Plate, Star Wine List) indicates is that the à la carte is the primary showcase for Peter Eaton's cooking. If you're looking for a long tasting-menu format in the region, verify directly with the restaurant before booking on that expectation. The set menu, by contrast, is documented as a genuinely strong value-for-money option and a reliable entry point into the kitchen's capabilities.
The front bar is confirmed as a pre-dinner and drinks space , cocktails, the house gin, and aperitifs are the intended use. Whether the bar takes dining orders in the same format as the main room is not confirmed in Pearl's current data. If bar dining is specifically what you want (useful for solo visits or spontaneous drop-ins), contact the restaurant directly to confirm availability. The bar is intimate relative to the main dining room, so it may serve as an overflow or walk-in option, but do not arrive expecting guaranteed bar dining without checking first.
| Venue | Cuisine | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Woodspeen | Modern British, Modern Cuisine | Star Wine List (2026); It might be set within a restored 19th-century farmhouse, but The Woodspeen has a contemporary feel courtesy of its fine terrace and an airy, Scandic-style extension with a vaulted arch ceiling. Menus centre on the seasons and bring together ingredients from the kitchen garden and the surrounding area, in dishes that utilise big, punchy flavours – such as anchovy emulsion and wild garlic salsa with roast lamb rump. Arrive early for a drink in the intimate bar; the ‘25 Yards’ gin is crafted using botanicals from their garden.; The buzzy, anticipatory atmosphere among diners at this polished magnet for Berkshire’s food-lovers is contagious. Lucratively located near the M4, A34 and A4, the Woodspeen nevertheless occupies a quiet patch of verdant countryside and comes complete with a cookery school. In 2014, it was converted from a pub – though you’d hardly realise this when you're reclining on a smart grey banquette in the stylish modern dining room to the rear, with its soaring wooden ceiling (topped by a skylight), windows looking onto the garden and full-length open-view kitchen. The food continues to attract heaps of plaudits from a multitude of fans – and it's easy to see why. Roast halibut with crispy chicken-skin crumb, Bollinger and apple purée indicates the level of ambition to be found here, while beef Wellington for two is a speciality – although even the good-value set menu displays culinary flair and a feel for local ingredients (many from the restaurant’s kitchen garden). In May, for example, you might begin with the most delicate Parmesan arancino (crisp outside, creamy within) surrounded by a silky-smooth wild garlic and pea soup, the flavour of both ingredients skilfully balanced. Main courses are equally accomplished, a serving of succulent cured salmon, say, on crushed Jersey Royals, the whole dish elevated by a boldly flavoured fish broth and a modest sprig of purple sprouting broccoli in peak condition. After that, rhubarb pavlova makes a refreshing finale, with its light chewy meringue and delicately cooked cubes of rhubarb topped with blood-orange sorbet. Service attracts special comment from readers (‘exemplary’; ‘superb’; ‘fantastic and attentive without being overbearing’), and we found the knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise hard to fault. Second helpings of the first-rate spongy sourdough bread, served with whipped butter and a little pot of moreish black olive ‘houmous’ were provided without charge, once our appreciation had been noted. A studious, young sommelier takes his duties seriously, and the wide-ranging list is full of classy offerings – even a glass of entry-level Viognier comes bursting with juicy fruitiness. Cocktails, served in the front bar or out on the terrace, are yet another forte at this impressive set-up.; Opinionated About Dining Casual in Europe Ranked #415 (2025); Michelin Plate (2025); WINE: Wine Strengths: France, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Italy, California, Champagne Pricing: $$ i Wine pricing: Based on the list\'s general markup and high and low price points:$ has many bottles < $50;$$ has a range of pricing;$$$ has many $100+ bottles Corkage Fee: $50 Selections: 540 Inventory: 4,500 CUISINE: Cuisine Types: British, European Pricing: $$ i Cuisine pricing: The cost of a typical two-course meal, not including tip or beverages.$ is < $40;$$ is $40–$65;$$$ is $66+. Meals: Lunch and Dinner STAFF: People Wine Director: Edoardo Amadi Sommelier: Huw Williams Chef: Peter Eaton General Manager: Nunzio Giunta Owner: Alistair Storey; Opinionated About Dining Casual in Europe Ranked #400 (2024); Michelin Plate (2024); Opinionated About Dining Casual in Europe Recommended (2023) | Moderate | — |
| Restaurant Gordon Ramsay | Contemporary European, French | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| CORE by Clare Smyth | Modern British | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| The Ledbury | Modern European, Modern Cuisine | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Sketch, The Lecture Room and Library | Modern French | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Dinner by Heston Blumenthal | Modern British, Traditional British | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
How The Woodspeen stacks up against the competition.
Lunch is the sharper value proposition. The set menu at lunch shows genuine culinary range at a lower entry price, drawing on the kitchen garden and local sourcing that define Peter Eaton's approach. Dinner gives you more time with the wine list — a Star Wine List-recognised program with 540 selections — but the core cooking is consistent across both services. If you're visiting midweek, note the kitchen closes earlier Tuesday and Wednesday (9 pm) than Thursday through Saturday (9:30 pm).
The venue database doesn't specify a formal dietary policy, but the kitchen's focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and a kitchen garden suggests flexibility is built into the cooking style. check the venue's official channels via Lambourn Rd, Woodspeen, Newbury RG20 8BN to confirm requirements before booking — particularly for tasting menu formats where substitutions may be more constrained.
Arrive with time to drink in the bar before your table — the '25 Yards' gin, made from botanicals grown on-site, is a good opener and sets the tone for how seriously the venue takes its own sourcing. The dining room is a 2014 conversion of a former pub, now a modern space with a vaulted wooden ceiling and open-view kitchen, so expect a lively, open atmosphere rather than hushed fine dining. It holds a Michelin Plate (2025) and ranks #415 in Opinionated About Dining's Casual Europe list, which correctly positions it: polished and serious, but not stiff.
The venue data doesn't confirm a standalone tasting menu format, so this is a question to put directly to the restaurant. What the awards record does confirm is that the kitchen — under Peter Eaton, with wine direction from Edoardo Amadi — operates at a level where a longer format would make sense. The wine list's 540 selections and Star Wine List recognition (2026) mean any paired option would be well-supported. At £££ pricing, the spend is comparable to London peers at this tier, but without the city premium on top.
The venue has a dedicated front bar where cocktails are served, and it functions as a pre-dinner space. Whether bar seating is available for a full meal isn't confirmed in the venue data — call ahead or check at booking if that format is important to you. For those who want a lighter visit, the bar and terrace are worth knowing about regardless: the terrace is a genuine feature of the space, particularly in good weather.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
