We have a pint in the traditional village pub near Bristol with a huge beer garden and an aviary

An English Heritage-style plaque in the bar of The White Hart is a permanent reminder of one much missed regular at this large village pub between Bristol and Bath.

The plaque remembers ‘much loved’ local and ‘top man’ Biffo Smith who had been drinking at the Bitton pub since 1971.

With its dart board, mix of stripped floors and red carpet and large lawned beer garden (complete with a ‘Pets Corner’ that includes an aviary and meerkat enclosure), The White Hart is a proper village pub with no airs or graces.

A large Grade II-listed pub in the heart of the village, The White Hart clearly has a loyal clientele.

Most of the drinkers around me seemed to know each other but its close proximity to campsites and attractions like Avon Valley Railway means the only pub in the village gets plenty of passing trade.

Although the weather was too bad for anybody to brave the garden, there was live sport on the TV to keep a few solo drinkers occupied.

Traditional in style and refreshingly free from too many modern touches, this is a pub that sticks to the basics and it’s all the better for it.

There’s a decent pint of Doom Bar served straight from a barrel behind the bar, but most drinkers were supping pints of cider (Rattler, Thatchers Gold, Sharps Cold River Cider and Thatchers Dry), Guinness or premium lagers like Madri, Staropramen and Coors. There’s also Stella and Carling.

When I arrived mid-afternoon on a wet and windy Saturday, there were a few glances at my unfamiliar face - I’d never set foot in the place before - but once I’d settled in with a pint, I was being treated just like one of the regulars. It's no wonder locals like the much missed Biffo loved the place so much.

The White Hart, 140 High Street, Bitton, BS30 6HG.