I don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy a village gastropub. Our corner of the country has no shortage and we should count ourselves so very lucky. It’s easy to underestimate their role in a world where rural communities are dying deaths by a thousand cuts.
To shorten their to-do lists to simply pouring pints and plating up traditional favourites is, as we’ve grown to see, beyond a dereliction of faith. Now cornerstones of their community, village inns are living, breathing organisms that aim to represent all who use them. We found this was summed up perfectly at The Kirkstyle Inn in Dunning.
The 222-year-old Kirkstyle Inn really does have everything you could want. Dunning is truly up to its oxters in history, from being torched in the 18th century to tales of witches being reportedly burned at the stake even earlier. Stepping into the Kirkstyle Inn is like stepping back in time – but the flames in the fireplace inside are far from as concerning as those which have previously raged in the hamlet.
In the doorway is a beautifully-preserved bar which looks like something from decades gone by, but it is wonderfully cosy and intimate. Outside, there’s a quiet beer garden situated right by the rushing burn. Seating areas are spread throughout the historic building – we took a table towards the rear.
Despite sitting within a well-stocked bar – complete with its own brand of lager – we both stuck with a lemonade (£2). Shortly after we sat down, a couple across the r.
