This 129-strong chain is owned by Whitbread Plc (also responsible for Brewers Fayre and Costa) and a recent investment of £45m has been aimed at producing a warmer, more stylish feel to the dining surroundings. Cosy leather booth-style seating gets away from the old “canteen” feel and creates an informal and relaxed ambience. The Lydiards Fields Restaurant is just off junction 16 of the M4 and is situated right next door to a Premier Travel Inn (also a member of the Whitbread family). As the name suggests, Beefeater is about meat, particularly beef and particularly chargrilling (“the fire behind the food”). Only the finest cuts of steak from traditionally-reared, grass-fed cattle and matured by a family-owned butchers for 28 days, are used and this produces the exceptionally tender and flavoursome meat of which Beefeater is so proud. Chicken, fish, lamb and salads are all on offer too, and the menu does change periodically; try the Pork and Pink Apple Chargrilled Sausages or the Mediterranean Tomato Risotto, and, although meat is the message, for the cubs of the family there's also a kids menu.