IT was my colleague Chris who suggested I ought to re-visit the White Hart, Wytham, right, if I wanted an example of how some pub patios and gardens are completely smoke-free.

I was working on a summary of Oxfordshire pubs' first smoke-free year. Whilst I could find several examples of the way smokers were filling pub gardens and patios with a fog of tobacco smoke as they could no longer puff away inside, I was scratching my head for good examples of smoke-free garden zones.

Having eaten there recently, he assured me I could enjoy a great meal outside without tripping over a single cigarette butt, as customers respected the fact that on a sunny day this area becomes an extension of the restaurant.

He was right. Despite the patio area being busy when we arrived, not a single customer was filling the rarefied air of Wytham with smoke.

We were greeted immediately by extremely efficient staff, drinks were poured with a smile and we were given a table outside.

This lovely old inn, which dates back to the 16th century, is a great place to visit if you plan a day trip to Oxford during the summer holidays. It's as atmospheric outside as in, though I am not sure I approved of the large marble carvings which intruded into the patio space. Whilst well sculpted by an Oxford company, they seemed somewhat out of place. On the other hand, a pile of logs stacked neatly against the pub wall was perfectly in keeping.

Inside, the three main areas, some with exposed Cotswold stone walls, had a rustic feel that has been given a slightly contemporary look. A dish of apples sat on the bar, free for customers to help themselves.

On ordering two glasses of water (it was a hot day) and half a pint of Timothy Taylor's excellent Landlord ale and a 175ml glass of Cote du Rhone, we were shown to a patio table by a waiter who insisted on carrying our drinks for us.

There was an a la carte menu with a fine selection, including soup of the day (£3.95), salmon with wilted lettuce and cucumber salad with vine tomato butter sauce (£14.95), pink lamb rump with Mediterranean ratatouille and dauphinoise potatoes (£16.95), oven-cooked rosemary and baby vegetables nest with warm bread (£12.95), and lightly spiced seafood linguini at £12.95.

We ignored the menu and went for the set lunch instead, which offered two courses for £10. During the evening, a similar menu cost £12. I was told it changed on a weekly basis.

Like so many pubs that offer two courses for less than many of the dishes on the main menu, the White Hart had got it right. We noticed that almost all those eating at tables close to us had chosen from the set menu too.

The two starters offered were smoked mackerel salad with horseradish crème fraiche or smoked chicken and coconut soup.

For the main course, we were able to choose from spicy meatballs with spinach and bean casserole and pan-fired sea bass with stir-fry.

Remembering my experience last week, I avoided the meatballs and went for the sea bass instead.

So did Chris, and we both began our meal with the smoked mackerel salad, which proved a meal in itself.

The sea bass was perfect and although the portion was not very large, it proved very filling and the flesh of the fish was succulent and sweet.

Two large cups of espresso at £2.25 each helped finish off an excellent meal served in cigarette-free surroundings, despite being enjoyed in the open air.

Wheelchair users face having to navigate one small step if they wish to go inside, but I was assured this is easy and every assistance would be given.