I suppose when I think of a great beer garden, I would ordinarily have placed a lot of importance on well tended and over-filled hanging baskets, sturdy seating and adequate protection from the elements. But then I happened upon The Green Man, a country pub in the small village of Great Offley, just outside Hitchin, in Hertfordshire. What it lacks in topiary, it makes up for with a sweeping field, overlooking the green hills of neighbouring Bedfordshire. Great big benches have generous parasols, and patrons can while away the hours gazing at two very lovely and curious horses (one with dreadlocked forelocks) who munch their way around the adjoining field. There is a marvellous sense of peaceful isolation in the Green Man's beer garden, with its great expanse of open space. I much prefer it to a tarted up corner of the carpark, as many outside areas are. Well worth a visit.

Main Street, Great Offley, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 3AR. About an hour's drive from central London.

Google map: tinyurl.com/2wmwcka

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