Blue Lion, East Witton, North Yorkshire Delightful Georgian inn on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Civilised and yet informally friendly, there’s a bar with flagstones and a log fire, an impressive wine list, local ales and lots of whiskies, delicious food and lovely bedrooms—and the staff are kind to dogs (01969 624 273; www.thebluelion.co.uk)
Rose & Crown, Snettisham, Norfolk There’s something for everyone in this consistently well-run inn and the meandering bars have simple, distinct charm, with old quarry tiles, beams in low ceilings, antique furnishings and open fires; excellent food and service (www.roseandcrownsnettisham.co.uk; 01485 541 382)
Horse and Groom, Bourton-on-the-Hill, Gloucestershire A honey-coloured stone inn run by two brothers—one front of house, one looking after the kitchen—with plenty of original features, a proper bar and first-class food in spreading dining rooms. If you can stay the night, it’s very special (01386 700413; http://horseandgroom.info)
Woods, Dulverton, Somerset You’ll find an extraordinary wine list here and the charming, knowledgeable landlord will open any of his 400 wines for just a glass. Regulars in the bar enjoy local ales and, as the pub is on the edge of Exmoor, you’ll find hunting trophies, stuffed birds, fishing rods and the like. Excellent food using the owner’s own farm produce (01398 324007; www.woodsdulverton.co.uk)
The Felin Fach Griffin, Felin Fach, Brecon Striking just the right balance between pub, restaurant and hotel, this is contemporary and classy throughout. The food, using home-grown organic produce, is modern and accomplished, there’s a huge choice of interesting drinks and the bedrooms are inviting (01874 620 111; www.felinfachgriffin.co.uk)
The Horse Guards Inn, Till-ington, West Sussex The rambling beamed rooms in this 300-year-old inn boast original panelling, good country furniture, chesterfields, rugs on old brick floors and open fires. A fine choice of drinks, including homemade sloe gin, exceptional food, seats in the lush, sheltered garden and cosy bedrooms all go to make this place special. Do visit the medieval church painted by Constable and Turner (01798 342332; www.thehorseguadsinn.co.uk)
Applecross Inn, Applecross, Wester Ross, Ross & Cromarty Getting here is quite an experience, driving through miles of spectacularly wild, unpopulated scenery and over the famous Pass of the Cattle. A no-nonsense, friendly bar, with customers from all over the world and top-quality local fish and seafood (01520 744262; www.applecross.uk.com/inn)
The Bell Inn, Welford-on-Avon, Warwickshire The Bell’s open fires, stripped or well-polished antique furniture, flagstones and solid-oak floors all add up to cosiness and warmth. Food is highly enjoyable, Champagne and Prosecco are offered by the glass and the garden has water features and lighting (01789 750353; www.thebellwelford.co.uk)
Cock, Hemingford Grey, Cambridgeshire Although much emphasis is on the enticing food, the left-hand public bar is sensibly kept for drinkers only, with cider made in the village and real ales. Fresh flowers, wood-burning stoves and a stylish restaurant (01480 463609; www.cambscuisine.com/the-cock-hemingford)
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