BIG portions are at the heart of The Malthouse, near Mottisfont, in this family-friendly inn.

And it is not just the food that is supersize but the decor of the spacious eatery is of giant proportions too.

Stepping into the watering hole – which is just a short drive from Andover along the A3057 – the ceilings are high and the pub is packed with brightly decorated tables of varying sizes.

And on every wall and most of the ceiling space there are eccentricities from a large moose head guarding Carol’s Carvery – the main draw for the many families and guests throughout the week – to guitars, oversized lamps and other oddities lining the walls, while games of chess and scrabble hang from the ceiling.

Many a happy hour can be whiled away spotting these interesting pieces.

But despite picking a very busy Sunday for lunch we did not have to wait long for the beef goulash soup and Caesar salad to arrive.

The soup – which I chose as a main and was priced at £4.95 – was very hearty and satisfying, having just the right amount of spice. However, I was very disappointed with the dry and stale baguette which arrived beside it, seemingly replacing the rustic roll advertised on the menu.

The chicken Caesar salad was of a generous portion, priced at £8.95, and was packed with tender chicken, crispy bacon and crunchy croutons.

This was followed by a four-layer chocolate cake, accompanied by icecream, which certainly filled my rumbling tummy but left me feeling uncomfortably full and not completely satisfied.

Maybe a little less of the quantity and a bit more quality would have led to a better dining experience, but for a meal for two with drinks for under £30, the simple pub grub filled a hole and the interesting artefacts certainly made for a fun experience with plenty to talk about over lunch.

Jennifer Rivett