Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="993" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-henry.jpg" alt="damson restaurant sunday lunch" class="wp-image-80462" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-henry.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-henry-800x530.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-henry-1000x662.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-henry-400x265.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-henry-768x508.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A hidden gem so special, I almost don&#8217;t want to share. Fine, if you insist. <a href="https://damson-restaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damson Restaurant</a> has officially been in business just shy of two years, run by chef Henry Kremer-Ireson (previously of Henry &amp; Joe&#8217;s in Newbury) and his super experienced team. Find them quietly tucked away in the chocolate box village of Winterbourne (about 5 miles outside Newbury) &#8211; an unassuming spot for such a gastronomical heavyweight that has easy links to both the A34 and M4. </p>



<p>Damson are particularly renowned for their exceptional multi-course <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/tasting-menus-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tasting menus</a>, as well as regularly changing two- and three-course course lunch and dinners which are dedicated followers of ingredient-led, flavour focused dining with dishes that change seasonally. This year, they finally won over the picky inspectors at Michelin, and now you&#8217;ll find them deservedly sitting proud in the Michelin Guide. Honestly, it was only a matter of time.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/damson-1.png" alt="fine dining near me" class="wp-image-74906" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/damson-1.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/damson-1-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/damson-1-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/damson-1-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/damson-1-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Adding further strings to their foodie bow, Damson introduced their <a href="https://damson-restaurant.co.uk/sundays" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunday lunch</a> offering last October due to hot demand, featuring three mouth-watering set courses with a regularly changing menu. Expect to tuck into a picnic-style starter and a rotating meat and pud each week. It&#8217;s laid-back meets high-end to a tee, and you can check what dishes are due to come up ahead of time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/TheDamson-15-11-23-0010.jpg" alt="best sunday roast near newbury" class="wp-image-57920" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/TheDamson-15-11-23-0010.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/TheDamson-15-11-23-0010-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/TheDamson-15-11-23-0010-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/TheDamson-15-11-23-0010-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/TheDamson-15-11-23-0010-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Grown-up, sophisticated and totally unpretentious. The stylish interiors of Damson speak the love language of the countryside with nods to its pubby past, forest green hues, exposed brick, and an open kitchen where the cooking (rightfully) takes centre stage. Watch on as the chefs throw it down and work their magic with seemingly a lot more calm than me whipping up a spag bol. No pots and pan flying around here.</p>



<p>It&#8217;s worth noting there&#8217;s no age limit to dine, but equally, there&#8217;s no kids menu either. If they can handle the posh nosh, no reason not to bring them. In fact, the Sunday I visited saw a diverse crowd, from couples and friends to a big family group with a toddler in tow. There&#8217;s always a feel-good atmosphere to be found at Damson and walking through the door never fails to feel like a big old treat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8115_VSCO.jpg" alt="damson sunday roast near me" class="wp-image-80433" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8115_VSCO.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8115_VSCO-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8115_VSCO-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8115_VSCO-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8115_VSCO-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8115_VSCO-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Eating a Sunday roast at a Michelin Guide restaurant is less like a meal and more like a theatrical performance starring beef that probably had a better life than you. But before we get to the main event, things kicked off with a starter comprised of the Damson Picnic. It&#8217;s honestly like four starters in one. First on the line-up this week was a sumptuous confit of duck leg that had a subtle gamey taste and practically melted in your mouth.</p>



<p>I had to resist the urge to demolish the entire loaf of steamy sourdough bread that couldn&#8217;t come much fresher from the oven. Slather it in the cultured butter topped with a wild garlic emulsion and pretty much die happy. No picnic would be complete without a summer salad &#8211; this one being comprised of ingredients straight from the kitchen garden. Sustainability is huge here. It was stacked with all the texture, crunch, and freshness you&#8217;d want, and paired perfectly with the battered courgettes and romesco dip. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1197" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8126_VSCO.jpg" alt="best roast dinner near me" class="wp-image-80434" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8126_VSCO.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8126_VSCO-800x638.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8126_VSCO-1000x798.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8126_VSCO-400x319.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8126_VSCO-768x613.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Presentation, as expected, was simple yet gorgeous. It&#8217;s an absolute Insta-magnet spread of polished, mix &#8216;n&#8217; match crockery. But that&#8217;s Damson for you. It&#8217;s all in the details here &#8211; from the luxe Aesop soaps in the bathrooms to the little stall the waiter brings at the start of the meal to place your bag on. If you get up from the table, they&#8217;ll make sure your napkin is neatly folded upon your return. Service is always impeccably professional and attentive.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1496" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8132_VSCO.jpg" alt="damson sunday roast near me" class="wp-image-80435" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8132_VSCO.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8132_VSCO-800x798.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8132_VSCO-1000x997.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8132_VSCO-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8132_VSCO-768x766.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-IMG_8132_VSCO-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Palate warmed, I was practically drooling when the perfectly poised plates of veggies, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and BBQ roast beef found its way to the table, served family style. The beef itself was succulently soft and had a beautiful flavour. You got a decent amount of it too compared to what you sometimes get when eating a Sunday roast out. The tatties were an event in their own right &#8211; so crisp you could likely hear the crunch from a mile off.</p>



<p>While the gravy may have looked thin on the ground, the flavour was incredibly rich and really elevated everything beautifully. I&#8217;m not huge on beetroot, so perhaps a bit bias, but I probably would have gone for a different veg to accompany the roast as it didn&#8217;t do much for me. That being said, the carrots and cabbage were lovely. And just look at that Yorkshire pudding! It was so puffed and golden, it looked like it had been sculpted in a pottery class. Deeeeelicious.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-pudding.jpg" alt="best sunday roast near newbury" class="wp-image-80428" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-pudding.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-pudding-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-pudding-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-pudding-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-pudding-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-pudding-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/damson-pudding-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Having devoured the first two courses like they owed me money, I was on the brink of a food coma. A break was needed, and with it being one of the most scorching days of the year, we headed to the cute little front garden for some time out and to drink the rest of our rosé. Sitting in the sun, we were even treated to a bowl of the granny apple sorbet off the tasting menu which hit the spot.</p>



<p>Then, once I was finally ready for round three, I tucked into a gorgeously creamy Basque cheesecake topped with bee pollen from the resident Damson bees. It came with a side of elderflower ice cream; made in-house from the elderflower plant I could literally see from where I was sitting. They totally nailed the portion size too. Worth it? Undoubtedly. Do I now unapologetically judge all other roasts? Absolutely.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/newbury-canal-free-image.jpg" alt="newbury things to do" class="wp-image-67210" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/newbury-canal-free-image.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/newbury-canal-free-image-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/newbury-canal-free-image-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/newbury-canal-free-image-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Roast and a ramble? The dream team. There&#8217;s plenty of country walks right on the doorstep if you fancy working off the tatties. <a href="https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/snelsmore-common-country-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snelsmore Common Country Park</a> is to the west with a variety of trails, rare bird species, and woodland views. <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/donnington" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donnington Castle</a> isn&#8217;t far for a mooch around the ruins of this historic fortress, as is <a href="https://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highclere Castle</a>. Catch an award-winning production at nearby <a href="https://www.watermill.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Watermill Theatre</a>, or Newbury is just down the road for high street shopping.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-verdict">THE VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Anyone looking to get their chops around a pretty special Sunday lunch near Newbury. The flavours are phenomenal, service exceptional, and it would be near impossible not to feel impressed.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Small appetites. One thing&#8217;s guaranteed &#8211; you won&#8217;t be leaving Damson hungry. Keep in mind this Sunday roast is a set three-course whopper, so make sure you can handle the heat if you&#8217;re going to splurge.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> Menu prices vary each week depending what&#8217;s on offer, ranging from £45 to £50 for three courses. Truly excellent value for money.</p>



<p><em>Words by Ellie Ball</em></p>


Is this Berkshire’s poshest roast dinner?

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