A Perfect Wessex Day at The Dew Pond

The Wessex Bailliage gathered on Friday 14^th August 2026, for its Annual General Meeting and luncheon at The Dew Pond in Old Burghclere. Members met at noon for the AGM before moving into the landscaped garden for drinks at 12.30, enjoying the manicured terrace, rattan furniture, and views across Watership Down, Beacon Hill, and the pond that inspired the restaurant’s name.

The restaurant’s commitment to quality, its picturesque rural location near Highclere Castle, and its reputation for warm hospitality, all were reflected throughout the afternoon.

"The Dew Pond offered the kind of setting in which good food, good wine, and good company seemed entirely at home."

Lunch had been prepared by Chef‑Owner Keith Marshall, whose family had operated the restaurant since 1989. His French‑inspired cooking was showcased in a three‑course menu beginning with Brixham crab and celeriac remoulade, followed by roasted rump of lamb with Mediterranean vegetables, and finishing with tonka bean panna cotta and peaches .

Each dish had been paired with wines chosen to elevate the flavours: Porta Leone NV Prosecco for the reception, Quinta d’Amares Loureiro with the crab, Kilibinbin Seduction Cabernet Sauvignon with the lamb, and Château Jany Sauternes with dessert. The pairings added brightness, structure, and richness at every stage of the meal.

With exclusive use of the 16th‑century cottage restaurant—oak beams, crisp linens, fine art, and warm hospitality—the Bailliage enjoyed a relaxed, convivial afternoon that celebrated both tradition and the enduring charm of this much‑loved Wessex venue.

The photographs for the event are available in the Gallery.

Written by
Darryl Thomson

Date posted
15th August 2026

This news item is from the Wessex Bailliage, see more Wessex News.

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A Perfect Wessex Day at The Dew Pond

"The Dew Pond offered the kind of setting in which good food, good wine, and good company seemed entirely at home."

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