The Royal Standard of England is tucked away in Forty Green, up into the hills behind Beaconsfield. Once used as a hideout for King Charles I during the English Civil War, it is steeped in history.

Hospitality may have changed over the centuries but I imagine the very same feel of warmth and intrigue at vast ales and wines and hearty portions has remained the same. 

To start we had Garlic Prawns, whole with baguette (£8) and Welsh Rarebit (£4.50) respectively.

I was once told that you cannot beat the flavour of a prawn cooked in its shell, and these were packed with flavour. It does make eating them a little tricky but little touches like a finger bowl included as you would have with mussels was greatly appreciated. 

The Welsh Rarebit was a huge hug of a starter, portions here are extremely generous – so much so that a nearby table opted to share all meals between them – but this does seem to fit with the convivial theme of the restaurant and pub, which is also dog friendly.

Whilst we were sat in a romantic window seat, the heavens opened and to be sat with such wholesome food in a warm surrounding watching the world go by and locals and newcomers alike be greeted by the bar staff and seated to equally cosy tables was very special. 

For mains we had Sausages ‘King’s Porkers’ mash and onion gravy (£13.95), and Chicken, Leek and Mushroom ‘Midsomer Murder’ Resurrection Pie (£15).

We also had a side of Rocket and Parmesan Salad (£4.50), which added a peppery sharpness, sweetness from the balsamic and nuttiness from the parmesan to the dishes to keep it as light as possible considering.

The sausages are unlike anything we have ever eaten, they are made on site at The Royal Standard and deeply flavoured with sage and oregano to give a rich and herby natural flavour. 

We just about managed to finish our extremely generous portions and my husband, who has a sweet tooth and is particularly fond of chocolate, declined a dessert which was a new one on me.

In fact, we both decided that we were replete and instead just perused the dessert menu, which certainly has a lot of variety.

Two which caught our eye were the Chocolate Mousse (£6) and the Sticky Toffee Pudding (£6) which I am sure would have matched the deliciousness of our starter and mains.

They also have specials for each of the three courses, with new ones put up on the blackboard in the bar every day which will tantalise the taste buds.

All in all, it was a very special meal in a pub full of character. It is somewhere you won’t forget in a hurry..

For more information visit http://www.rsoe.co.uk/