A warmly run countryside pub and inn with broadly excellent food, standout hospitality, generous outdoor space and good-value menu pricing, though weekend bookings are essential and Sunday-roast execution has occasionally varied.
The Star delivers strong food quality anchored by praised breakfasts and Sunday lunches, paired with exceptional service warmth that consistently exceeds expectations. Its rural setting and beer garden create genuine destination appeal for diners seeking countryside hospitality. Solid consistency across dimensions keeps it just short of the very top tier, though occasional service knowledge gaps and historical roast inconsistencies prevent a flawless showing.
THE STAR feels like the sort of rural inn people wish they had discovered sooner: a handsome, welcoming country pub with a peaceful beer garden, local ales and a team whose hospitality regularly goes beyond the expected. Guests describe being made comfortable after difficult travel, supported during overnight stays and looked after seamlessly at large celebrations. The occasional plane may be audible from the bar, but the countryside setting and ample parking make it an appealing escape from nearby towns and airport hotels. The cooking is confident, generous British pub food with a little more range than the usual pie-and-burger routine. Fish and chips, pies, Sunday roasts, burgers and breakfasts receive the most affection, while vegan curry, linguine, falafel and a vegan burger give plant-based diners genuine choices. The menu is elevated seasonal pub cooking rather than experimental cuisine: familiar, hearty and easy to share across a mixed group. Older reports of disappointing Sunday roast beef and one poor service response are worth noting, but recent feedback is substantially more enthusiastic. Families are well served. Reviews specifically mention children enjoying cheeseburgers and falafel burgers, and the current menu adds fish and chips, sausages, pasta, ice cream and other approachable choices alongside vegetarian and vegan options. It is a strong pick for a family Sunday lunch or relaxed meal, though weekend bookings are wise because the pub can fill quickly.
Area vibe: Rural village and agricultural setting with scattered inns and country lanes.
Safety: Generally safe and quiet but limited lighting and sparse footfall after dark; car access expected.
What's nearby: Near Sutton Bonington village, close to Melton Road, rural pubs, farms and Loughborough University (Sutton Bonington campus).
The menu’s safest bets range from fish and chips and pie to a surprisingly broad selection of vegan mains, with several desserts worth saving room for.
It is an easygoing country-pub stop with good parking and outdoor space, but weekend demand, variable older roast feedback, and drink pricing are worth keeping in mind.
Expect a friendly countryside pub with a spacious garden and local ales, plus the occasional reminder that an airport is nearby.