A TRADITIONAL and GRAND venue for weddings and functions The Petwood Hotel may be, yet it also offers a homely and intimate dining environment.

The likelihood is you've been photographed at a High Society event like the Lincolnshire Ball at The Petwood, or you've attended a summer wedding and enjoyed Pimms on the lawn. The hotel is also popular with those from out of the county because of its Dambusters connections. However, among the success of hosting large-scale events, its credentials as one of Lincolnshire's favourite restaurants have been somewhat hidden under the proverbial bushel.

The Tennyson Restaurant, the hotel's dining room, is wood panelled, surrounded by stone mullion windows and traditionally furnished. There's something quaint and bygone about the surroundings, and yet the food is definitely up to modern standards.

The hotel itself was built in 1905 by Baroness Von Eckhardstein, latterly Woodhall Spa's influential matriarch Lady Weigall. In 1911 she commissioned Frank Peck to extend her home and create the building we know today.

Privately owned by the current custodians for over 15 years and a hotel since 1933, The Petwood Hotel was in 2004 extended once more to create a new function suite known as the Woodland Suite.

However with the 30 acre estate proving so popular for weddings and events demanding capacity for large numbers, it's easy to forget that it also offers an intimate dining environment for those nights in the week when you just want to go out for a good meal and leave the washing up behind.

"Proud to be a member of Tastes of Lincolnshire, there's always a local influence in our menus; from bar lunches and afternoon teas through to à la carte dining and Sunday lunches" says the Petwood's Emma Brealey. "It's always a pleasure to welcome back guests who have celebrated special occasions and memorable events here.

We like to think the Petwood is a 'home from home' for many of our guests - a warm atmosphere where friends and family can relax, savour good food and enjoy themselves in familiar surroundings."

With a 70 cover dining room, pretty lounge area and bar, as well as a spacious terrace and the hotel's grounds, the restaurant is traditional, relaxing and cosy.

Patrons can enjoy an à la carte menu comprising six starters, nine main courses and five desserts. The impressive menu is also competitively priced; two courses for £20/head and three courses for £25/head. Whilst some of the dishes on the menu command a supplement, prices remain remarkably competitive nonetheless and ingredients are well-sourced.

The brigade prefers local ingredients, with vegetables from Abbey Parks of Boston, meat from Papworths of Woodhall Spa, smoked trout from Belleau Trout Farm and plum loaf from Modens of Spilsby.

All puddings are created in-house by pastry chef Simon Pugh who will soon celebrate his first anniversary at the Petwood. The team is led by Steve Kind, who began his career at the establishment before working at other venues in the county and returning to the Petwood six years ago.

With menus that are best described as modern British with continental influences, first courses during our visit included a Leek and Potato Soup, Salad of Buffalo Mozzarella with Plum Tomato and Balsamic Reduction, and Sautéed Woodland Mushrooms.

Main course options, meanwhile, always include fish, white meat and red meat dishes, with breast of Gressingham Duck and Lincolnshire Beef Poacher - wrapped in Pancetta, served on a Potato Rösti with a Red Wine Reduction - two notable highlights.

Meanwhile, bar menus provide lighter dining and are ideal for lunches before enjoying Woodhall's recently reclaimed Jubilee Park, a matinee at nearby Kinema in the Woods, or just a walk in the surrounding woodland.

These include lighter dishes such as Smoked Salmon Salad, and country favourites such as Sirloin Steak, traditional Lincolnshire Ploughman's Lincolnshire Sausage & Mash or a carefully considered take on Fish & Chips pictured here and best served with an accompanying Bateman's beer.

Another treat at The Petwood for those passing through in the daytime is a traditional English high tea which, at £8.50 /head includes smoked salmon finger sandwiches, delicious scones with jam and cream plus Lincolnshire plum loaf with Poacher cheese.

"Our afternoon teas prove really popular", says Emma. "Taking afternoon tea in the traditional setting of the Petwood has such a quintessentially English appeal.  Whether sitting out on the terrace overlooking the gardens or cosied up by an open fire, enjoying a good conversation over a tasty tea is a ritual we English have enjoyed for years - and continue to do so."

The hotel is also planning to celebrate April's royal wedding with a garden party and family fun day. The event will take place on Friday 29th April from 10am and will include a live broadcast of the ceremony, a buffet lunch with home-made cakes, a live band on the terrace and outdoor games for children.

Due to debut at the venue this month is a Pudding Club, which will give Simon the chance to demonstrate his patisserie flair. The Pudding Club will take place every first Thursday in the month and will feature a main course followed by a selection of desserts.

Spring dining at the Petwood is a real treat, which is perhaps why it remains a favourite Lincolnshire restaurant. With vibrant, modern dishes, Steve and his brigade have done an admirable job of stamping the Petwood's seal on the county as a dining destination as well as an events venue. The secret to the Petwood's success is in its simplicity - competitive quality.