I HAVE often driven past the Pheasant Inn at Casterton and wondered what it would be like to eat there. Now I know - it’s an absolute delight!

From outside, the inn doesn’t declare itself in a flamboyant manner; but once you manage to negotiate your vehicle through the narrow entrance into the car park you come across something rather special.

The view over the Lune Valley to Kirkby Lonsdale is phenomenal, although there’s not a lot of outside seating space to sit with a refreshing drink to savour the vista.

Inside, the inn is laid out in a traditional way with several rooms. The dining room is the largest and most impressive, featuring contemporary decor in a traditional setting. I was particularly taken by the period oak panelling.

The menu had plenty of choice and I was impressed by the way diners are formally greeted as they enter the bar area. At this point you are handed the menu and asked where you would like to eat - the dining room, bar or a ‘snug’ room.

We plumped for the dining room where at 6pm we were the only customers. A shared starter of grilled halloumi cheese, Kalamata olive and sun dried tomato salad got the meal off to a very good start, after which we were served up breaded supreme of chicken with Wensleydale and mushroom white wine cream sauce. This was accompanied by perfectly-cooked chips and fresh vegetables.

It seems when my wife and I dine out, we always have more trouble choosing puddings than any of the other courses.

I declined this time in an ineffectual bid to protect the waistline, but couldn’t resist having a taste of the wife’s subsequently served up double chocolate mud pie, which was nice but not ‘wow’.

All in all we enjoyed the meal and the setting and will certainly return.