WHEN finding myself at a loss for something to do over the weekend, I did what any half-decent pub spy would do, and went for a good old pub lunch, and so it was that I found myself at the Blue Bell in Callow End.

The pub, named for its eponymous blue bell outside, had drawn my attention several times in my various jaunts over to Upton, and I decided to give it a try.

Entering the pub, I went into the small bar room to the side, where I was greeted by friendly staff who were all too happy to have a chat about the weather and the Ashes test match which was on the TV.

Ordering an Estrella shandy (I was driving, ok) I took a seat by the window and scoured the menu.

The snack menu contains several different sandwiches, baguettes and jacket potatoes, and the full menu contains a plethora of pub favourites.

In addition to these, there are also children’s menus and a senior citizens’ menu, and with multiple vegetarian options too, there really is something for all tastes.

As it was lunch time I didn’t choose one of the full meals from the menu, and instead ordered a steak and onion baguette, which came with chips and a small side salad.

Ordering a steak baguette is often risky, with many pubs offering tough boot-leather type hunks of meat, but this was certainly not the case at the Blue Bell.

The steak was cooked beautifully and the baguette was stuffed with the delicious strips of meat and fried onions.

It was a proper steak baguette and, with a few chips, made the perfect lunch – not too fancy, just wholesome, filling and thoroughly satisfying food.

All in, lunch and pint, my receipt came to £12.45, which I felt was perfectly reasonable for how satisfied the meal left me.

While eating my lunch, drinking my pint and watching England’s batsmen struggle against the Australians, I noted the friendly nature of the bar staff, who were all too willing to have a chat with the various regulars at the bar about their day and people they knew.

It is a great example of a real community pub, where people are valued and can come in and just have a chat and a drink.

A browse of the pub’s website informed me that there is a monthly quiz, held on the last Thursday of each month, in addition to various other groups for residents to join.

There is plenty of space at the pub, with a nicely decorated lounge room and a beer garden at the rear which would be perfect on a hot summer’s day.

Eventually the time came to make my way home, but I could easily have stayed sitting in the bar all afternoon, such was the relaxing and welcoming atmosphere.

Visiting the pub, I instantly felt like I was welcome, which goes a long way in village pubs like the Blue Bell.

Communities need more pubs like this which stay true to what they are.

I had never been to the Blue Bell before but, having been, I would definitely recommend it and will certainly be returning soon for another meal.

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