Prestwood’s Polecat Inn Re-Opens For Busy Easter Weekend Following Major Refurbishment & Extension

Following a substantial investment by its new owners, Oakman Inns, and several months closure, Prestwood’s village pub, The Polecat Inn, led by new General Manager, Damien Hughes, re-opened its doors for the busy Easter Weekend.

The original listed building has been sympathetically restored. The network of original bars with their cosy fires have been retained and redecorated with a modern twist and plenty of comfortable seating while, upstairs, the Ladies’ ‘Powder Room’, with its large, circular velvet seat and sumptuous design, is becoming a real talking point.

Behind the original pub, there is now a new light-filled, 65 seat restaurant with glass outside ‘walls’ and sliding doors opening onto a pretty landscaped terrace. This is also home to a full-length, open theatre-style kitchen, clad in local flint - a tribute to a traditional craft, used in a contemporary way. From their seats, diners can watch craftsmanship in the kitchen where The Polecat’s Head Chef, James Norie, and his expert team, busily prepare tasty Mediterranean-inspired, seasonal dishes throughout the day. These include charcoal-grilled meats, fish and vegetables, a range of pasta dishes and salads, while traditional Neapolitan pizzas are hand-made by trained pizzaioli in the wood-fired oven.

If you’re driving, you’ll see that they’ve moved and enlarged the car park. This has freed up room for the large terrace and fresh landscaping that wraps around the new restaurant, seamlessly blending with the view of the Chilterns that remains framed by the old, majestic Oak tree, that the owners ensured was nurtured during the turmoil of the building works.

Regardless of whether they are inside or out, guests can enjoy an extensive range of expertly mixed cocktails, fine wines, gins or a selection of Artisan coffee and teas from the bar. The Polecat is also recommending a pint of Malt the Brewery’s ale brewed by Jenny and Nick Watson, a few minutes’ walk from the pub.