IT MAY be off possibly the busiest roundabout in Cornwall, but the Chiverton Arms is still a hidden gem to many.

Despite not having a village to call its own, the good old traditional Cornish pub can claim drinkers and diners from as far away as St Agnes, Chacewater and Truro as regulars.

Just off the A30 at Chiverton Cross, it's also a great place for drivers to take a break for a bite to eat.

Landlady Carol Seaborne, a welcoming presence if ever there was one, oversaw the complete refurbishment of the once derelict pub and has turned it into a wonderfully funky boozer, beautifully decorated with its own snug, children's play area and even a Hot Club de Chiverton where local jazz musicians perform. When What's On visited for Sunday lunch we were treated to some wonderfully mood-setting piano.

And what a lunch – a choice of three succulent meats or a nut roast, crispy roast potatoes, a Yorkshire pud, rich gravy and a selection of veg. Served between noon and 8.30pm every Sunday, it's £8.95/£6.95 and £4.95 for a decent children's portion.

A pudding fan should definitely pay a visit – the daily desserts board reads like a novel, the home-made bread and butter pudding with clotted cream is particularly good; all desserts are £4.50. Delicious home-cooked food sourced from local suppliers also includes everything from fisherman's pie, lamb's liver and bacon, smoked haddock and poached eggs to curry of the day and beer-battered fish and chips.

Yes, this is standard pub fare but that's the joy, especially as it's all served in such a homely, friendly atmosphere.

As well as serving traditional Cornish ales and a variety of fine wines, this is a place to bring the family ... and the dog.

The Chivvy has an enclosed outdoor children's play area with a Wendy house, slide and giant Connect 4 game together with outdoor toys suitable for the under-5s and a toybox indoors full of games and books for those wet and windy days.

Children have their own special Chester Chiverton menu which is full of nutritious, home-made options presented in a fun way. Who knows, maybe hedgehog mascot Chester will even put in an appearance?

It might be cold now, but when the weather warms up there is also a sizeable, pleasant beer garden. And proving it really is a traditional pub, it holds quiz nights every Monday and has a pool table and dartboard in the games room.

What more could you want? How about three double en suite rooms and one larger room incorporating a sofa bed?

Ideal if you want to stay over or have family visiting.

With the traditional Cornish pub proving harder to find, the Chiverton Arms proves it's not a dying institution thanks to a warm welcome, great food and fantastic ambience.

Fore more details see www.chivertonarms.co.uk