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The little town of Brill stands prominently on a hilltop 600ft above sea-level. The houses coil round the hilltop connecting the common to the pretty square and the
wedge-shaped green where the church of All Saints lies hidden behind a thick yew hedge. The common was quarried for clay until the end of the 19th
century and there were, at one time, seven local potteries busy making tiles, bricks and rough garden pots. Sheep grazing on the common is a right and the villagers protested when it was suggested that the humpy indulations formed by the clay workings should be levelled as it was considered that this would reduce the area of grassland. The windmill on the hilltop, a post mill and Brill's most famous landmark, is dated 1668. From the hilltop there are glorious views over Aylesbury Vale to Calvert and over the Oxfordshire plain to the Cotswolds.
The Pheasant stands alone at the end of Windmill Street. The Inn is of 17th
century origin, and has been thoughtfully modernised with comfortable seats around plain dark-wood tables grouped around the big wood burning stove, set in a huge fireplace. The view from the dining room window is of the mill and the countryside stretching into the distance. Attractively framed Alken hunting prints. The views from both rooms are marvellous. Bar food includes Greek salad with feta cheese and olives (
£4.95), home-cooked ham and eggs or king tiger prawns in garlic (£ 5.95), chicken breasts with fives different types of sauces (£7.95), and rump steaks with six different sauces (£9.50). Well
kept Marstons Pedigree and Tetleys on hand pump, and at least six good wines by the glass; piped music. No dogs (they have two golden retrievers themselves). The verandah overlooks the windmill opposite - one of the
oldest post windmills still in working order. There are also some picnic-table sets in the small, sheltered garden. Roald Dahl used to drink here, and some of the tales the locals told him were worked into his
short stories. (Recommended by Andy).
Extract from Pub Walks In Buckinghamshire by Liz Roberts (1994) |
