Landlord Ricardo Canestra talks about revamping The Trout at Tadpole Bridge

We were of the mindset that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Knowing the Trout Inn at Tadpole Bridge and its legacy as an Oxfordshire riverside destination, we were sure the pub would never change.

When the powers that be announced that the Trout would undergo a complete refurb, our team was sceptical as to how this local favourite would emerge.

As we see it, the Trout was known for a quirky jumble of paint jobs, mismatched furniture and a simple menu. It was comforting and cosy, but walking through the winding rooms, we realised it did need an update, a breath of fresh air.

The pub had recently joined the Epicurean Collection, a selection of pubs and country inns who look to create the ultimate countryside experience, and whose ethos also includes an element of luxury. Cue the refurb, and what we hoped would be be a warmly welcomed freshen-up.

The Trout Inn is tucked away in Oxfordshire, located on the banks of the River Thames.

Surrounded by fields and with the river flowing just outside our door, the Trout is renowned for both its fresh fish, and other local countryside fare.

Although not a seafood restaurant, we offer great examples of local fish, as well as game when in season, its atmosphere lending itself to traditional, familiar dishes. But we felt there was an opportunity to push boundaries and craft a new menu of English cuisine.

We hoped chef Calum Peace would share our enthusiasm for something different.

We breathed a sigh of relief upon entering the newly-restored space. There is a sense of airy freshness to the interior, not the chill that can be common in a nouveau, garish, over-done gastropub.

The refurbishment has modernised the Trout without losing its essence and soul. We have a new look that is traditional, but no longer old fashioned. And, to our delight, the menu has been rejigged and revitalised.

Dishes such as the citrus-cured trout with coral mayonnaise and black croutes, or the loin of cod with chorizo and chickpea casserole are exactly the quirky, different approaches we were delighted that chef Calum has gone for.

Inspired by traditional meals but drawing on contemporary influences to create a fine British menu, we hope our guests are up for the challenge and keen to try something new.

The refurbished décor has kept the original features, including exposed beams and the wood burner, but the goal was to brighten the entire place up. The colour scheme is now uniform, which opens up the space and gives it that airy feel.

The furniture has also been repainted and restored, ridding any evidence of wine spilt from last New Year’s Eve, or paw prints from a couple of muddy spaniels that never quite washed out.

We hope, with the refurbishment, The Trout now adheres to a broader clientele – loyal patrons as well as a new generation who enjoy the updated image and identity, so we are looking forward to greeting our old friends and seeing their reaction to the new look!

So, it would seem that you can give the proverbial muddy spaniel a good grooming and send him back into the field, raring to go.

We look forward to showing you too.