Sandra Carter doesn't let gruesome tales of in the second of her historical food reviews

IT gives you the creeps to think that in the oak-beamed room just above your head, the notorious Judge Jeffreys pronounced the death sentence on the last man to be hanged for sheep stealing in England.

But it would take more than a reminder of harsh justice in days gone by to put you off your food at The Greyhound Inn on Chalfont St Peter High Street.

It adds an extra dimension to a meal to visualise the people who have wined and dined here over the centuries, as well as those sent packing to Australia.

The inn dates back to the 14th century. Robert Drury probably drank here in the 1530s when the inn took on its present name -- he was lord of the manor, and the greyhound was on his coat of arms.

Among the long line of landlords was Robert Tibby, who bought the inn for £22 in 1626. Much of the present building dates from that time.

The hanging judge, Sir George Jeffreys, added an extension in 1684. Upstairs was the court where so many criminals -- many of them poor people stealing to feed their families -- were condemned to the gallows. These are now bedrooms -- not likely to lead to sweet dreams, perhaps.

Beneath them is a very fine dining room, full of beams and candles and oodles of atmosphere, and a comfortable area for bar meals.

We sampled the bar menu, and decided it's no wonder the inn has thrived for centuries if the food has always been this good.

We shared a plate of chicken liver pat, a generous portion with lots of salad and toast.

Then my companion went for the traditional roast fare that seems best suited for this ancient inn. The carvery meat of the day was roast rib of beef with Yorkshire pudding. In came a huge plateful that would sate the appetite of yeoman and yokel alike, together with a dish of fresh vegetables.

Poached salmon and prawn salad didn't seem to fit the image, but it sounded good on a hot summer evening. And very good it was.

Judge Jeffries had a secret underground passage linking The Greyhound to The Grange where he lived for a short time. Maybe he didn't want to run the gauntlet of the distraught victims of his rough justice when he walked home. Sadly the entrance is gone, together with the old cellars. But who knows if some of the tunnel isn't still there somewhere under the busy village streets. Menu Chicken liver pat: £3.50

Roast rib of beef and trimmings: £6.50

Poached salmon and prawn salad: £6.75

Total: £16.75 Restaurant rating Quality of food: Upholds the flag for British fare

Quantity of food: Pretty generous

Value for money: Good

Sense of history: Lots of creepy stories

Yank appeal: They'll see why their forebears fled England Judge for yourself: The Greyhound Inn, High Street, Chalfont St Peter (01753) 883404

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.