THE Kings Arms is a typical pub that you could stumble across in most villages of Test Valley.

With low beams, open hearths and an inviting beer garden, the Lockerley watering hole looks like it could fit snugly into any village scene.

But once you step inside, there are certain juxtapositions that do not fit so snugly together.

To my traditionalist eyes there was an odd mix of the new and the old, the traditional and the contemporary.

Alongside a large hanging blackboard listing the day’s dishes, sat a massive flatscreen television.

And although the chalkedup scribblings was the only menu available – apart from a separate laminated piece of card listing the light bites – it was awkwardly placed in the bar area where diners had to crowd around the entrance to the dining room to see what food was available, blocking the television from the drinkers’ views.

But once I entered the dining room, I could see that there was little alternative room for the blackboard to be placed as tables were cramped into every space available, meaning little leg room or privacy to hold your own conversations.

Although, the slightly chaotic feel to the eatery was made up for by the very welcoming staff and their friendly greetings, no amount of pleasantries could drown out the noise of the many grumbling tummies prompted by the slow service.

My husband and I were lucky to be served a simple order of a jacket potato with ham and cheese and a tunafish ciabatta within 40 minutes as diners nearby who had arrived just a matter of minutes after us were loudly complaining that they had still not received their starters as we left the pub well after an hour later.

I would like to say that the food was worth the wait, and the not-too-modest price tag, but it was very average at best.

Although the prices were what you would expect for an out-in-the-sticks establishment – £10.50 for fish and chips, just under £7 for a sandwich – neither the quality not the quantity made the long wait and the mounting claustrophobia I felt really worth it.

Jen Rivett