The Drift Inn pub at Beaulieu hosts live music in the garden and a traditional ice cream kiosk

THERE isn’t much you can buy for under a £1 in a pub these days, so anyone paying a visit to The Drift Inn at Beaulieu will be pleasantly surprised to see the 99p Whippy ice cream on the menu.

My visit coincided with the venue’s Summer Sounds Series every Friday night throughout the season, which feature live music in the garden and a traditional ice cream kiosk.

Surrounded by the beauty of the open Forest and its roaming ponies, The Drift is set in a stunning location, and befitting that the pub has plenty of rustic charm, with characterful decor and old photos telling the unique story of the national park.

The place was buzzing, packed full of guests enjoying the two-piece band, the large kids’ play area, an early evening dinner, or a pint in the garden after a dog walk.

The menu was refreshingly simple and succinct, with plenty of pub classics, so if traditional fare is what you’re after there’s a good offering at The Drift.

I was reommended the fish and chips, my husband opted for the rump steak, and my kids chose mac and cheese and chicken strips and chips.

There was rather a long wait for the food, but the staff were apologetic and kept us updated, and actually when our food did arrive it was worth the wait.

The fish and chips were exceptionally good - a really clean tasting piece of cod encased in the crispiest, most flavourful golden batter. It was served with a beautifully creamy homemade tartare sauce, vibrant mushy peas and crispy fries.

It was a huge portion, so pretty good value at £19.

My kids cleared their plates - even the fussy one - and my husband loved his steak, which he said was tender and packed with flavour.

We retired to the garden after our food for a Whippy ice cream served from a fun, colourful kiosk; which the kids loved, of course. With a choice of chocolate or Biscoff sauce, the Whippys were a generous size and it was a real novelty having them for dessert in a pub garden - and for just 99p.

For more information about The Drift or to book a table, visit https://thedrift.newforesthotels.co.uk