Plenty of good pubs to choose from listed above but don't look for a pub in Cranwell Village. There hasn't been once since the day Lord Trenchard had it written into the village bylaws that a public house close to the College would be a distraction for the cadets.
He then issued every cadet with a motorbike in a box that, once built, was able to transport pi$$ed cadets back from all those listed above. Plenty of photos in the 1920s section of the rogue's gallery of cadets with broken limbs to confirm the story for your French mate.
Now there's a character! (see other thread!)