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Short Breaks

ACORN INN
Evershot, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 0JW. Tel: 01935 83228, web: www.acorn-inn.co.uk • Set in Thomas Hardy country, the Acorn is steeped in history. The name comes from ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’, and the feel of the past is everywhere, with extensive oak panelling, open fires, beamed ceilings and flagstone floors. Lovingly refurbished, with 10 guest rooms, including a private loft suite: all have fabric-lined walls, some have four-poster beds. The intimate restaurant seats 36, and there’s a separate breakfast room also used for private dining. Locally grown produce is used whenever possible, and the menu is complemented by a carefully selected list of fine wines. The perfect jumping-off place for exploring the surrounding area. Wifi. Rooms from £90 including breakfast to £135 for a suite.

BLUE BALL INN
Steven’s Cross, Sidford, Devon, EX10 9QL. Tel: 01395 514062, email: rogernewton@blueballinn.net • They believe in keeping things in the family here, with the Blue Ball Inn having been run by the same one since 1912. It dates back much further - to 1385, to be precise - with thatch, cob and flint providing a bygone era’s atmosphere. Recent history has had its ups and downs; destroyed in March 2006, its rebuilding was completed in September 2007. Now Roger and Linda extend a warn welcome to all. Of course, there was no M5 in 1385, but it’s only a few minutes away today from a pub ideally located for visiting Devon’s treasures, with the beautiful seaside towns of Beer, Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton nearby. Those fancying journeying on can make Dartmoor within the hour. Double rooms including breakfast £95, singles £60.

THE CASTLE INN
Castle Combe, Wilts, SN14 7HN. Tel: 01249 783030, web: www.castle-inn.info/index.html • This lovingly restored 12th-century building has 11 highly comfortable rooms and such luxuries as whirlpool bathrooms, a Victorian slipper bath, flatscreen TVs and personal tea- and coffee-making facilities. Set right in the heart of Castle Combe, and a perfect place to stay after watching the car races. Cosy, rustic bar with a fine selection of real ales. From £110pn for a standard double.

CRAZY BEAR AND RAGGED STAFF
Bear Lane, Stadhampton, Oxfordshire, OX44 7UR. Tel: 01865 890714, web: www.crazybeargroup.co.uk • Should you really want or need to get in the good books of your loved one, a swift drive down the M4 to Oxford for a stay at the gorgeous Crazy Bear should do the trick. It really is breathtaking. The restaurant is, quite simply, fantastic, while the bar and beer garden area are magnificent, and the rooms are flawlessly romantic. This is rustic charm at its most resplendent. We’ve run out of adjectives now. Blow the budget and book yourself into the Infinity Suite, with its crushed velvet walls, leather floors and a bath that fills from the ceiling, from £205 excluding VAT. An art deco double starts at £125 midweek.

GEORGE INN
Chardstock, Axminster, Devon, EX13 7BX. Tel: 01460 220241 • There are three counties to explore from this 15th-century beauty, located as it is on the borders of Devon, Dorset and Somerset. The building was originally a church or parish house, where parishioners would, after services, taste the beer brewed by two church-nominated wardens (which sounds a lot better than small talk with Reverend Lovejoy). You want history? Graffiti in the snug and lounge bar has names and initials of generations of local families, and the lounge’s linenfold, considered one of the nation’s best, had previously been in a ship’s cabin and then a church before arriving here several centuries ago. In 2005’s Good Beer Guide, with ales coming from Ruddles as well as Branscombe Vale’s Branoc. Food is traditional English - steak and ale pie, lambs’ livers etc. Skittle alley, romantic courtyard for summer nights, wonderful fires for winter. Double room £63 (includes breakfast), single £48 (also includes breakfast.)

GLOBE INN
Frogmore, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 2NR. Tel: 01548 531351 • 18th-century inn overlooking the creek amid the prettiness of Frogmore, a village between Dartmouth and Kingsbridge (so not very much like Frogmore Street then). Tasteful renovation in winter 2006/7 brought the Globe eight well-appointed ensuite bathrooms and a new look to its restaurant and bars (with a new menu to boot). The South Hams is a haven for sailors, golfers, divers, ramblers, birdwatchers etc - almost all activities are well catered for. If you fancy turning a short break into a long one, the Globe is an ideal base for all holiday activities, surrounded as it is by magnificent coastal scenery and idyllic beaches, historic towns and villages. No cats; dogs by arrangement. Double £70 includes breakfast.

GREYHOUND INN
Llantrissant, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1LE. Tel: 01291 672505, web: www.greyhound-inn.com • 17th-century Welsh longhouse, surrounded by the woodland and pastures of the beautiful Usk valley. Ten ensuite rooms situated in an old stone stable-block, two adapted for disabled visitors, and all finished to the same high standard. Lovely rustic bar, all food produced from local ingredients. Rooms £78 per night for double occupancy, £58 for singles includes breakfast and VAT.

HALF MOON INN
Llanthony, nr Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 7NN. Tel: 01873 890611, web: www.llanthony.co.uk • Just the place for pony trekkers and walkers, offering you the chance to get out and see some real countryside with Llanthony Riding & Trekking in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Don’t be misled by the name - this is a proper, unspoilt B&B in a pub with proper ales, hearty food and some bracing walks in any direction from your front door. The hospitality is second to none. From £50 for a double, £30 for a single.

HALZEPHRON INN
Gunwalloe, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 7QB. Tel 01326 240406 • There’s half a millennium of history here at a pub providing awesome views from the Lizard peninsula. Indeed, the courtyard terrace faces Lands End, giving you food for thought about dear old Blighty as you savour fresh, authentic Cornish food which brought the Halzephron ‘Cornwall Dining Pub of the Year’ in 2001 and 2005. The merciless rocks and treacherous sea claimed many a smuggler’s life but you’ll find peace and tranquillity in one of the two cosy cottage-style rooms, each resplendent with countryside vistas. Double B&B including VAT £90.

INN WITH THE WELL
Marlborough Rd, Ogbourne St George, Marlborough, Wilts, SN8 1SQ. Tel: 01672 841445 • Those missing one particularly quirky attraction of Bristol jazz club Marlows should venture here, as it too has bulletproof glass, allowing you to stand over an original well set into the building’s floor. A tranquil retreat - no pool table, jukebox or gaming machines - in the heart of the rolling Marlborough Downs. Set on the Ridgeway path, Europe’s oldest highway. Accommodation comprises six rooms with ensuite bathrooms (and a duck!). Doubles from £60pn.

JUBILEE
Pelynt, Looe, Cornwall, PL13 2JZ. Tel: 01503 220312 • The Jubilee began life in the 16th century as The Axe, but took a new name in recognition of Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee in 1887. Today you will find eleven rooms, each with their own furnishings and design. There’s even a bridal suite if your short break becomes a lifetime together. (The two special family rooms are for a year or two down the line.) Within lies a homely air created by fires ablaze, oak-beamed ceilings and ceramics depicting the one upon whom the sun would never set. Convenient for Looe, where there’s boating to be done and nightclubs to be trawled. Also good for that Eighth Wonder of the World, the Eden Project. Double £80 including brekkie.

KINGS ARMS
Stockland, nr. Honiton, Devon, EX14 9BS. Tel 01404 881361, web: www.thekingsarmsinn.org.uk • Cream-faced thatched pub with elegant rooms and the increasingly rare attraction of a skittle alley if you fancy chancing your arm. You might also strike lucky for some live music being staged. Food is a cut above in both the bar and the evening restaurant, with the fish highly recommended. Full English is what you’ll enjoy in the Cotley Lounge unless you advise otherwise, with a double room a very reasonable £70 and discounts for internet booking.

KINGS HEAD INN
Bledington, Oxfordshire, OX7 6XQ. Tel: 01608 658365, web: www.kingsheadinn.net • A 16th-century cider house on the village green, complete with brook and ducks, and, inside, the original inglenook fireplace. With old oak beams, Cotswold stone walls and low ceilings, the bar exudes warmth and charm. The bedrooms are beautifully furnished to complement the inn’s historical character, and the restaurant is famous in the Cotswolds for its quality food, with local meat, game and homegrown vegetables. Double rooms from £75pn.

LLANTHONY PRIORY HOTEL
Llanthony, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 7NN. Tel: 01873 890487, web: www.llanthonyprioryhotel.co.uk • Formerly known as the Abbey Hotel. Situated at the foot of the Black Mountains, the hotel was originally part of the Priory, built by Augustinian Monks in the 12th century. With its narrow spiral stairs leading up to the tower bedrooms, a visit is like stepping back in time, and with the Offa’s Dyke Trail close by, it’s the perfect stop-off for walkers and cyclists, whether for a quiet drink, an evening meal or an overnight stay. No kids under 10, no dogs. Rooms from £80pn.

THE MASON’S ARMS
Branscombe Village, Devon, EX12 3DJ. Tel: 01297 680300, web: www.masonsarms.co.uk • Roaring log fires and quaint thatched cottages: this is rural village life at its best. There are loads of great clifftop walks and you can work up a real appetite for the fantastic, locally sourced food provided at the inn. Double rooms vary from £80 for the budget rooms to £170 for the luxury four-poster rooms, with massive discounts for out-of-season stays.

MERRYMOOR INN
Mawgan Porth, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4BA. Tel 01637 860258 • Convenient for KingSurf surf school nearby (where Prince William once enquired about lessons) if your short break means catching the breakers. Mawgan Porth Beach is a mere 50 yards away, where cliffs sweep to a horseshoe-shaped bay with golden sands. Mawgan Porth hamlet stands in a lush valley from where several walks lead inland, including the Vale of Laherne trail which leads to St Mawgan, through Carnanton Woods and onward to the historic market town of St Columb. The Merrymore, run by the same family since 1961, is only 20 minutes from the Eden Project; pack your clubs and racquets, too, because there’s golf and tennis to be played. Once your day is over, it’s time for some excellent food, with alfresco dining overlooking the bay, then hit the hay for a restful night’s sleep. £35 per person including full English.

THE MUSEUM INN
Farnham, nr Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8DE. Tel: 01725 516261, web: www.museuminn.co.uk • Voted English Inn of the Year by the Good Hotel Guide in 2005, this place has been top-rated by just about every guide and reviewer imaginable. This is an inn that believes in comfort, providing you with everything from homemade biscuits and organic chocolate to power showers in the private bathrooms. The bar has a very cosy, traditional atmosphere with its low ceilings, flagged floors and great fire. Three real ales and one cider to be enjoyed. From £110pn.

OLD FERRY
Boddinnick-by-Fowey, South Cornwall, PL23 1LX. Tel: 01726 870237 • Fantastic name for a village where you’ll find a fantastic inn. There’s been a ferry crossing in Boddinick, a small conservation hamlet, since the 13th century, so just think what tales those waters could tell. The inn itself is a relatively new addition to the scenery, pitching up around 400 years ago. Deep in Du Maurier country, the Old Ferry boasts a particular charm created not least by pleasing ephemera adorning the walls (not overly done). Eat a la carte in the dining room and there’s an excellent bar food menu to accompany some choice ales. There’s also a glorious, bordering-on-indulgent lounge where French doors open onto the south-facing terrace. The view continues down the river to the sea, this aspect remaining in sun all day. Twelve rooms range from a Victorian four-poster to a spacious family room. Double prices range from £80-£95.

THE QUARRYMAN’S ARMS
Box Hill, Corsham, Wilts, SN13 8HN. Tel: 01225 743569, web: http://fp.quarrymans.plus.com • A friendly country pub with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, catering equally well to single guests, family holidays and business trips. The rooms are large and luxurious, the food is great, and the beer garden with handmade local benches adds further to the ambience. Look out for ‘Pig and Jig’ on 4 July - a hog roast with live music on nearby Box Common. Ensuite doubles from £65.

RED LION HOTEL
Clovelly, North Devon, EX39 5TF. Tel: 01237 431237, web: www.clovelly.co.uk • Step back in time at this 18th-century hostelry on the 14th-century quayside. The 11 rooms all enjoy either a sea or harbour view, and because of the age of the building, each has its own special character. Beautifully decorated on a whimsical nautical theme, B&B from £65pppn.

ROCK INN
Haytor Vale, Dartmoor National Park, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ13 9XP. Tel 01364 661305 • You want to escape the stress of modern life? How about staying in an inn which began life as a mid-18th-century coaching inn, where you can step out of the front door and instantly be amid Dartmoor’s wilderness? Fancy turning off the mobile for a day without hassle before heading back to a roaring fire and some marvellous food and drink? They’ve been providing hospitality to travellers for around 250 years now and you know they’ve got it right. Those after a little more pace can hit Exeter or Plymouth via a pleasing spin. Doubles from £78 including breakfast and VAT.

THE ROSE AND CROWN INN
Tintern, nr Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6SE. Tel: 01291 689254, web: www.tintern.org.uk/rose.htm • Make sure you pack a hearty appetite for the short trip over the bridge, as The Rose and Crown Inn has now become a steakhouse. Set in the heart of this lovely village, it’s run by rugby nut and all-round jovial chap Dave Stafford. As well as providing a proper warm Welsh welcome (and doing a mean breakfast), this delightful B&B is family-, dog- and child-friendly, and provides a great spot from which to trot up the river Wye and the Tintern Trail or just mooch around the shops in this area of outstanding natural beauty. From £25pppn.

STAR INN
Talybont-on-Usk, nr Brecon, Powys, LD3 7YX. Tel: 01874 676635 • Beer lovers take note: this former CAMRA pub of the year, your archetypal Welsh inn and B&B, serves between 200 and 300 brews annually! Up to six real ales are on at any one time, beside good home-cooked food. It also happens to have the Brecon and Monmouth Canal running beside the garden. Just two letting rooms, from £55 per double.

TOM COBLEY
Spreyton, Devon, EX17 5AL. Tel: 01647 231314 • In this guide principally because they were voted National Pub of the Year in the 2007 CAMRA Good Beer Guide, the inn has seven upstairs letting bedrooms, providing a charming base for touring this lovely part of the world. The historic market towns of Crediton and Okehampton offer plenty to interest visitors, and the rugged expanses of Dartmoor stretch to the south, with wonderful walks and stunning scenery. Six regular ales, 16 change anything up to daily giving you a staggering choice of 22! A thriving village pub, with a modest bar and a spacious dining room at the rear, it’s as popular for food as beer with locals and others in the know. From £30pppn non-ensuite.

WATERMANS ARMS
Bow Bridge, Ashprington, Totnes, South Devon, TQ9 7EG. Tel: 01803 732214 • Standing on a site down in the Doomsday Book, this 17th-century inn nestles by the nascent Bow Creek, where kingfishers dart. A colourful past has seen it home to a notorious press gang and used as a smithy and prison, but you’ll definitely come quietly today when it comes to copping for some warm Devon hospitality. The bar boasts open fires plus excellent real ales and wines. You want local? Almost all ingredients going into the hunger-busting brekkie are sourced from farms within a mile. From £30 pppn.

WHITE LION INN
High St, Bourton, Dorset, SP8 5AT. Tel: 01747 840866 • On the main street in the middle of this charming Dorset town is the most northerly inn in the county, a large, 18th-century coaching house with a beautiful garden. Beers include Greene King IPA, Butcombe and a guest such as Wadworth 6X. A good-value a la carte and bar menu available. Child-friendly, with full disabled access and facilities. Letting rooms from around £65 a night.

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