Out of Town Restaurants & Cafes

ANGELFISH
Canal Visitor Centre, Brassknocker Hill, Monkton Combe, BA2 7JD
Tel: 01225 723483
● Escape city life at the gorgeous Angelfish, situated below Brassknocker Hill with panoramic views across the Limpley Stoke Valley. Watch brightly coloured narrowboats float past from the terrace or informal glass-walled restaurant – the atmosphere is fresh and light, while the food is relaxed, varied and exciting, from cheap and cheerful sandwiches to hearty mains like seafood linguine, moules frites and salad nicoise. Puddings are sticky and rich. Perfect for cappuccino breaks on country walks or Sunday lunches with a special view.

AT THE SIGN OF THE ANGEL
Church St, Lacock, nr Chippenham, Wilts, SN15 2LB
Tel: 01249 730230, web: www.lacock.co.uk
● Traditional, elegant and located in the astonishingly lovely village of Lacock, famous for its unspoilt village streets, magnificent Abbey and woodland gardens. The restaurant kitchen selects the best homegrown and local produce, using preparation and cooking styles befitting an old country inn. Classy, traditional English cooking is complemented by a wide selection of wines and served in a candlelit room with low ceilings and oak panelling – ideal for a romantic treat by a log fire after exploring the village.

BARLEY WOOD WALLED GARDEN
Long Lane, Wrington, North Somerset, BS40 5SA
Tel: 01934 863713, web: www.walledgarden.co.uk
● The eponymous garden supports the kitchen here, ensuring that the freshest ingredients go into British food that’s organic where possible. Dishes include quiche, beef casserole, pork & cider casserole. Sunday lunches are very traditional affairs, with crab apple jelly made from fruit grown on site accompanying the roast pork. Space for 78 covers, 24 of which are outside. Cider barn, art studio, beehives and shop on site. Beautiful surroundings and spectacular views. Evening openings planned. Open Daily 9.30am-4.30pm

BATHAMPTON MILL
Mill Lane, Bathampton, BA2 6TS
Tel: 01225 469758, web: www.thebathamptonmill.co.uk
● A big favourite with Bathonians for relaxed afternoons. Large garden overlooking the rushing river, a picturesque bridge and decked patios are the perfect setting for a cold beer and tasty salad on sunny days. The modern interior – with three open fires - is stuffed with leather sofas. Well-priced, simple menu, with filling dishes prepared with care – classic fish & chips, and pastas and pizzas that make great casual lunches. You can even punt here from Bath. Food served 12noon-9.30pm (7pm Sun). ALC: 12noon-2.30pm & 6-9.30pm

BISTRO 507
507 Bath Rd, Saltford, BS31 3HQ
Tel: 01225 873108, web: www.bistro507.co.uk
● Since opening in 2008, this cute bistro located between Bristol and Bath has become a popular, friendly spot serving up breakfast on Wednesday mornings, light lunches and fine a la carte dining in the evening and traditional roasts for Sunday lunch. The service and welcome make you feel like an old friend, and the smart contemporary interior is light and modern. Tasty lunch bits include bubble & squeak with bacon & egg and specials of the day while the regularly updated evening menu include mains such as free-range fillet steak with mushroom and rarebit tartlet. An extensive and thought-out wine list, local free-range meats and quality produce ensure Bistro 507 goes from strength to strength. Starters from £3.95, mains from £8.95, puds £4.95. Open Tue-Sat 12noon-3pm & 6.30-10pm, Sun 12noon-3pm.

THE RESTAURANT AT CADBURY HOUSE
Cadbury House Hotel, Health Club & Spa, Frost Hill, Congresbury, Bristol, BS49 5AD
Tel: 01934 834343, web: www.cadburyhouse.com
● This gloriously stylish complex combines 4-star hotel, health club and award-winning kitchen in perfect harmony. Head Chef (and Ramsay protégé) Mark Veale recently earned the Cadbury an AA rosette for wow-factor menus rich in imagination and created with ingredients largely based around locally sourced produce including meat from farms in the neighbouring villages and organic fruit and vegetables sourced within a six-mile radius. Food is lavish but reassuringly familiar (duo of Exmoor beef, ‘Collection of Jack’s Lamb’, apple tarte tatin, etc), with a well balanced integrity at the heart of the matter; tuck in and enjoy in either the informal Living Room area, the chic, intimate bar or the glamorous surroundings of the main restaurant itself. Price: ALC starters £6-£8, mains £19-£25, desserts £6-£8 SD: 1 £18 2 £24 3 £30 Taster Menu £50 Sunday lunch £16.95 (children £9) Open daily 7-9.30pm

CAFE LA STRADA
13 Cheap St, Frome, BA11 1BN
Tel: 01373 474374, web: www.cafelastrada.co.uk
● Delightful cafe/parlour famous for its homemade artisan ice-cream (grapefruit & peppercorn, salted caramel), and also serving coffees, pastries and chocolate treats. Lunches feature the likes of butternut squash risotto, or asparagus in saffron & white wine cream, but make sure you leave room for pudding. Emporio La Strada shop sells carefully selected ingredients and foodie presents. Open Mon-Sat 8.30am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm

CALCOT MANOR
Tetbury, Glos, GL8 8YJ
Tel: 01666 890391, web: www.calcotmanor.co.uk
● Part of England’s new breed of luxuriously delightful manor hotels, Calcot is all about relaxation and plush comfort, and dining options don’t disappoint either. At principal restaurant The Conservatory, the colourful, flavoursome Mediterranean-leaning creations are fresh, light and elegant. The room itself manages to be both chic and informal, with lovely views across the countryside. Calcot’s well-established country pub, the Gumstool Inn, offers top-notch gastro-pub nosh (from the same kitchen as The Conservatory, presided over by head chef Michael Croft) and an excellent choice of ales and wines.

CALDICOT CASTLE
Church Rd, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, Wales, NP26 4HU
Tel: 01291 420241, web: www.caldicotcastle.co.uk
● Step back in culinary time by taking part in a medieval banquet at Caldicot, a 50-acre country park set around the stunning castle itself, founded by the Normans and now an attractive and family-friendly place to visit. Regular foodie happenings take place, catered for by Jamesons Events, and the cute onsite Castle Tea Rooms serve snacks, drinks and refuelling treats after climbing the castle’s spiralling staircases or exploring the wooded grounds. Open Daily 11am-5pm (April-Oct)

CELLAR
36 Hill Rd, Clevedon, BS21 7PJ
Tel: 01275 340340, web: www.thecellarclevedon.com
● Bistro-cum-wine bar set in a stunning grade ll-listed building that was originally a chemist’s, complete with original counter stuffed with little medicine drawers. Tapas (around the £3 mark) are a speciality (crayfish tails, green chillies stuffed with goat’s cheese, pinchitos de pollo) and there’s a hearty main menu, too. Finish it all off with a vodka sorbet or yummy tarte au citron. Impressive range of wines, beers and ciders, and on onsite off-licence. Open Tue-Wed 10.30am-9pm, Thur-Sat 10.30am-10pm, Sun 12noon-4pm

CLAVELSHAY BARN
Lower Clavelshay Farm, North Petherton, Nr Bridgewater, TA6 6PJ
Tel: 01278 662629, web: www.clavelshaybarn.co.uk
● A taste of the countryside, serving up local delights in idyllic surroundings. Take your wellies for a walk before having lunch in this converted barn, set on a working dairy farm in its own valley. The interior displays local artwork, and natural woods create a contemporary country feel. Head chef Steven Clarke makes everything onsite, including home-reared beef, and even the water comes from the farm’s own spring. Modern British menu features the likes of twice-baked cheese souffle, and fillet of bream with blackcurrant-scented shallots. The Barn received a 2009 Taste of the West silver award for trumpeting local delights.

COMBE GROVE MANOR HOTEL
Brassknocker Hill, Monkton Combe, Bath, BA2 7HS
Tel: 01225 834644, www.barcelo-hotels.co.uk
● Take your pick at this sumptuous hotel and country club, dating back to the 18th century and nestling in 69 acres, with views over Limpley Stoke Valley. The relaxed, family-friendly Eden Brasserie and bar, in the vaulted cellars, serves up a contemporary menu, and there’s an outside terrace for alfresco dining. A creative menu at the more formal Georgian Room, which has been awarded two AA rosettes, includes starters like salad of wood pigeon, beetroot & puy lentils, followed by wild halibut & white bean cassoulet. Pre-booking essential for both restaurants. Open: Brasserie: 12noon-2.30 for lunch. Brasserie & restaurant: dinner from 7pm

CONSERVATORY AT HINTON GRANGE
Hinton Grange, Nr Dyrham, Hinton, Wilts, SN14 8HG
Tel: 0117 937 2916, web: www.hintongrange.co.uk
● A dream of a quintessentially English country hotel, set in stunning parkland in the sleepy village of Hinton. The 15th century house itself is romance personified: ivy-clad warm stone outside, and low beams, blazing fires and candlelit dining rooms inside. The menu in the elegant, intimate, glass Conservatory Restaurant (complete with koi pond in the middle) is quality modern European, and the Sunday roasts come highly recommended.

CROWN AT CELTIC MANOR
Celtic Manor Resort, Coldra Woods, Usk Valley, South Wales, NP18 1HQ
Tel: 01633 413000, web: www.celtic-manor.com
● Various different dining options at this renowned Welsh resort. Ultra-smart, cool and contemporary flagship restaurant the Crown has won three AA rosettes. The warm, wooden Rafters restaurant’s classic grill-style menu uses the best of Welsh produce. The friendly, informal Olive Tree is lively and relaxed, with jazz and flavoursome Mediterranean cuisine, and the Patio Bistro is a charming French-style hideaway serving quality, fuss-free Gallic treats. Opening times and dress codes vary.

FAT FOWL
10 Silver St, Bradford on Avon, Wilts, BA15 1JX
Tel: 01225 863111, web: www.fatfowl.com
● Situated in the centre of Bradford on Avon, and open all day, every day, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and tapas. A busy cafe by day turns into a quality restaurant in the evenings. Head chef Gary Say serves seasonal modern English cuisine, and there’s a pleasant outside terrace for alfresco dining. Breakfast’s freshly baked pastries are to die for, and the evening’s pan-roasted pollack and grilled lemon sole are beautifully prepared. Atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, with live jazz sessions adding a special touch to dinner. Private dining rooms available for events. Open Daily, all day

GARDEN CAFE
16 Stony St, Frome, BA11 1BU
Tel: 01373 454178, web: www.gardencafefrome.co.uk
● Close to Frome marketplace, this large sheltered courtyard garden and charming interior are perfect for relaxed coffees and cakes. Locally produced, free-range, organic and vegan options proliferate on an extensive menu, offering all-day breakfasts, lunches (Thai burgers, cashew nut & bean patties, mezze platters, soups, tapas) and evening meals Fri-Sat. Kids get their own (organic) menu, and wines, spirits, beers and ciders are organically produced and vegan. Regular special events, including music and poetry evenings. Open Mon-Wed 9am-5.30pm, Thur-Sat 9am-late, Sun 10.30am-4pm

HARDWICK
Old Raglan Rd, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, South Wales, NP7 9AA
Tel: 01873 854220, web: www.thehardwick.co.uk
● Friendly, welcoming country pub-cum-restaurant, with an exciting menu from a renowned chef serving up locally produced treats. Steven Terry has worked with Marco Pierre White and Michel Roux, among others, and has earned two Michelin stars during his career. From ham, egg & chips to roasted Gower Peninsula sea bass, there’s a huge choice for such a small restaurant. Open Lunch: Tue-Sun 12noon-3pm. Dinner: Tue-Sat 6.30-10pm

HARLEQUIN CAFE
Kilver Court, Kilver St, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5NF
Tel: 01749 340312, web: www.kilvercourt.com
● Part of the ‘stylish eco-lifestyle venue’ Kilver Court, which includes a charming farm shop, wellness centre and stunning gardens as well as the Harlequin Cafe, all showcasing the best of organic living. The cafe itself is very cosy, with a roaring log fire and homegrown Somerset menu. Morning coffee and pastries hit the spot, and lunch brings hearty casseroles and meat pies. Open Mon-Sat 9.30am–4.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm

HESTERCOMBE’S STABLES, RESTAURANT AND COFFEE SHOP
Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset TA2 8LG
Tel: 01823 413923, web: www.hestercombe.com
● Upper-crust light bites, lunches (including fabulous roasts on Sundays) and home made tea time treats served all day, every day at this welcoming coffee shop and restaurant at the heart of a lively, thriving historic gardens complex. There’s a picnic area and a Children’s Playground to make full use of on sunny days, and a bookshop, garden centre and gift shop completes this paradisiacal experience. Also available for private hire (weddings, conferences, parties, etc). Open Mon-Sun 10am-5pm.

HOLBROOK HOUSE HOTEL
Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 8BS
Tel: 01963 824466, web: www.holbrookhouse.co.uk
● Head chef Callum Keira’s kitchen at Holbrook’s Cedar Restaurant consistently produces a winning blend of modern European and classic cuisine. Two AA Rosettes reflect the quality of food on offer here, along with great service and a fine section of wines. ALC mains are around £20; goat’s cheese & beetroot risotto from the Terrace Menu clocks in at £12. Lots of lovely snacks available in the Stables Bar.

HOMEWOOD PARK
Hinton Charterhouse, Nr Bath, BA2 7PT
Tel: 01225 723731, web: www.homewoodpark.co.uk
● Homewood’s two-AA-rosette Lime Restaurant, relaunched in 2009, is headed up by chef Daniel Moon, the man behind some stunning little starters and imaginative mains demonstrating both technique and flair, as well as palate-tickling amuse-bouches served in shot glasses. Peruse the menu with a pre-dinner drink in the comfy drawing room, complete with crackling fire. There’s a six-course tasting menu at £55; if you’re not feeling flush, the two-course Sunday lunch is £15.

JACKS BAR & BRASSERIE
Portishead Marina, Harbour Rd, Portishead, BS20 7AW
Tel: 01275 397304, web: www.jacksbrasserie.co.uk
● Relaxed, modern, chilled-out, ultra-fresh and family run. The recently relaunched menu focuses on seafood (Devon crabcakes with fennel salad) and prime cuts of meat (chargrilled Somerset beefburgers). Portions are hearty, filling and made with good honest ingredients, and the wine list is thoughtful. Open Daily 8am-11pm (food served till 10pm)

JACK’S RESTAURANT
Hartham Park, Corsham, Wilts, SN13 0RP
Tel: 01249 700100, web: www.jacksrestaurantandbar.co.uk
● Set within the lovely parkland grounds of Hartham Park near Corsham, and combining contemporary and traditional elements in both decor and food. There’s a comfortable, relaxed feel, with well-priced starters like pea & ham soup or roast Bath Pig chorizo complementing mains that are priced around £14 – try the pheasant sausages with panfried herb gnocchi.

KING WILLIAM INN
Tunley, Nr Timsbury, Bath, BA2 0EB
Tel: 0845 206 1376, web: www.kingwilliaminn.co.uk
● Friendly country inn, completely refurbished and now decorated with candles and log-burners. A good, unpretentious menu, attentive service and calm ambience make this a bit of an oasis for work-weary visitors who can sit in the huge Med-style courtyard to unwind on warm evenings. Summer menu includes simple gastro-pub fare (deep-fried brie with parsley crumb, homemade chicken & leek pie, dark chocolate cheesecake), all carefully prepared and packed with flavour. Food Tue-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 6-9pm, Sun 12noon-2.30pm

LORDS OF THE MANOR
Upper Slaughter, nr Bourton on the Water, Glos, GL54 2JD
Tel: 01451 820243, web: www.lordsofthemanor.com
● A timeless setting for this honey-coloured former rectory, where wellies wait by the front door for diners wanting to get out into the landscaped gardens and rolling parkland. Blazing log fires in the reception rooms welcome you into this luxury country hotel with great dining facilities, with Michelin-starred chef Matt Weedon presiding over a team who work like fury to produce elegant plates of beautifully prepared eatables (three courses around £55).

LUCKNAM PARK HOTEL
Colerne, Wilts, SN14 8AZ
Tel: 01225 742777, web: www.lucknampark.co.uk
● Country house living at its very best, Lucknam Park comes with fantastic equestrian facilities and a luxurious spa. Dining is equally classy – The Park restaurant (haute cuisine, including a standalone vegetarian gourmet menu) and the more informal Brasserie. Awarded a Michelin star, five AA red stars and a Visit Britain Gold Award, the much-lauded cuisine in both restaurants is smart and elegant. The Park’s gourmet menu (£75pp) is an epicurean feast of flavours, The Brasserie’s more conservatively priced options (rolled lasagne of butternut squash, roast fillet of Loch Duart salmon) are every bit as good. Open Daily for lunch & dinner

MANOR HOUSE HOTEL
Castle Combe, Wilts, SN14 7HR
Tel: 01249 782206, web: www.exclusivehotels.co.uk
● Sienna Miller, Margaret Thatcher and Robert de Niro have all visited the Manor to partake of cocktails in the oak-panelled bar or enjoy ALC in the elegant Bybrook restaurant at this gorgeous 14th century hotel in the heart of the Cotswolds. Innovative head chef Richard Davies was awarded a Michelin star in 2009. The two-course lunch menu (£17) and three-course dinner (£30, Mon-Thur) are a great opportunity to sample such high-quality fare.

MILLER’S AT GLENCOT HOUSE
Glencot Lane, Wookey Hole, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1BH
Tel: 01749 677160, web: www.glencothouse.co.uk
● Overlooks the gorgeous River Axe at the foot of the Mendips, and serves classic French and British cuisine with a contemporary twist. The House itself, built in grand Jacobean style, is imposingly elegant with a hint of theatricality, and the restaurant is relaxed and intimate. Two/three courses of delicious, ultra-simple dishes (pumpkin soup with ginger bread creme fraiche, winter risotto with celeriac, black truffle & wild mushroom, ‘Hot Chocolate’ parfait with Baileys & marshmallows) cost £29.50/£34.50, and there’s a hugely popular traditional Sunday lunch.

MOODY GOOSE
Old Priory, Church Square, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2HX
Tel: 01761 416784/410846, web: www.theoldpriory.co.uk
● Fifteen minutes from Bath, in the market town of Midsomer Norton, the Old Priory Hotel is said to be one of the oldest houses in Somerset, dating back to 1152. Apparently it boasts a secret tunnel to the nearby 15th century church for those escaping religious persecution. Nowadays, atmospheres are less fraught – the lovely house and walled garden are the perfect setting for the famous Moody Goose, run by chef Stephen Shore and partner Jennifer. Fresh, flavoursome cuisine includes homemade breads, sauces and puddings, as well as fresh fish, meats, vegetables and cheeses provided by local farmers and dealers, all rounded off with herbs from the kitchen garden.

OLD BUTCHER’S
7 Park St, Stow-on-the-Wold, Glos, GL54 1AQ
Tel: 01451 831700, web: www.theoldbutchers.com
● A special little place with calm, muted decor, the Old Butcher’s opened in 2005 under husband-and-wife team Peter and Louise Robinson. It’s all about local food, and fine dining without pretensions. Fans have even been known to arrive with ingredients from their gardens to supplement the ultra-fresh produce in the kitchen, where pork comes from the couple’s Gloucester Old Spots, Tamworths and British Lops. Seasonal menu changes daily – don’t miss the famous pig’s ear & pea soup.

THE PARK
Bath Rd, Wick, Nr Bath BS30 5RN
Tel: 0117 9371800
● Situated within a Jacobean manor house on the Park estate is a stunning Masonic lodge that houses Oakwood, a restaurant that’s earned 2 AA Rosettes for its inventive British menu. Head Chef Philip Clench likes to describe his cooking as “country casual dining of the highest order.” Game is roasted in woodstone oven, breads are baked fresh, and the ambience is void of pretense, but very special indeed. A place to either celebrate an occasion or to make an occasion out of your supper. Food Served Breakfast Mon-Sun 7-10am, Dinner Mon-Sun 7-9pm, Sunday Lunch12.30-2.30pm

PEPPER POT
Lower Wick, nr Dursley, Glos, GL11 6DD
Tel: 01453 810259, web: www.thepepperpotrestaurant.co.uk
● Imaginative homecooked food at reasonable prices, based on a loosely British/European theme, and separate bar for pre/post-dinner drinks. A 2008 Taste of the West silver award marks this place out as a local favourite, with its fresh regional produce and utterly gorgeous puddings.

PRINCE OF WALES
Dunkerton Hil, Peasedown St John, Bath, BA2 8PF
Tel: 0845 201 6036
● The traditional country pub setting (stone walls, open fireplaces) and classic gastro-pub fare (beef & ale pie) are given a frisson of excitement by more exotic offerings like inihaw na tahong (grilled mussels topped with chilli flakes, lemon, garlic butter and melted cheese). The wonderfully eclectic menu comes courtesy of owners Clarissa (from the Philippines) and Graham (born in the UK). A great stop-off on country excursions. Open Mon 5-11pm, Tue-Fri 12noon-2.30pm & 5-11pm, Sat-Sun 12noon-11pm

PRIORY INN
London Rd, Tetbury, Glos, GL8 8JJ
Tel: 01666 50225, web: www.theprioryinn.co.uk
● Modern rustic food at affordable prices. The Priory commits to a 30-mile food zone - 90% of the ingredients come from that radius around Tetbury. Delicious ALC dishes and filling gourmet pizzas from a wood-fired oven (we love the pear & blue cheese, and pulled pork with caramelised onion) demonstrate the eager young team’s desire to really make their mark. We also love how the menu tells you all about the farmers, growers and producers who’ve contributed to the menu.

RONNIE’S
11 St Mary St, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 2AB
Tel: 0800 849 4433, web: www.ronnies-restaurant.co.uk
● Restaurant and coffee lounge that was awarded the Which? Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year 2009. Expect tasty, modern dishes focusing on locally sourced ingredients (roasted cannon of Cornish lamb, herb crust, leek & carrot panache, dauphine potatoes, shallot syrup & rosemary jus) served amid minimalist decor (exposed 17th century brickwork), oak floors and leather chairs. Sophisticated but unpretentious feel, and staff are well informed. Drink offerings include innovative cocktails and an award-winning wine list. Walls display work by local artists.

SHARPHAM PARK RESTAURANT
Charlton House Hotel, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4PR
Tel: 01749 342008, web: www.charltonhouse.com
● None of that slightly stuffy ‘look but don’t touch’ feel that some country house hotels have. Rather, a comfortable, informal splendour where you instantly feel at home. The same ambience translates into the restaurant, where head chef Steve Horrell incorporates rare-breed meats such as red deer into an exciting menu featuring the likes of gratin of wild mushrooms & haricot beans, and salt beef with herb dumplings.

SORREL AT STON EASTON PARK
Ston Easton Park Hotel, Ston Easton, nr Bath, Somerset, BA3 4DF
Tel: 01761 241631, web: www.stoneaston.co.uk
● The cellars are famed for fine vintage wines, and fresh veg comes from the Victorian kitchen garden. Summer lunches can be served on the front terrace or prepared in picnic baskets, complete with comfy rugs, to enjoy in the grounds, often accompanied by resident spaniel Oscar. Inside the restaurant, overlooking the cascading River Norr, head chef Matthew Butcher and his team create award-winning cuisine with an eye for innovative presentation.

STIRRUP CUP
Cheltenham Road, Bisley, Stroud, GL6 7BL
Tel: 0845 202 1788
● Dried hops hang from exposed beams and walls bear antique tankards at this traditional 18th century inn, where only the menu seems to be modern. Menu features panfried calves’ liver and moules et frites, and mains are all comfortingly hearty, rich and delicious. Well-selected wines complement the food, and the sticky toffee pudding is heartbreakingly good.

SWAN HOTEL
1 Church St, Bradford on Avon, Wilts, BA15 1LN
Tel: 01225 868686, web: www.theswanbradford.co.uk
● Values are simple here: homecooked food, friendly staff, reasonable prices and a modern, light, calm, fuss-free feel. The traditional British menu is full of flair and style, with a particularly good vegetarian selection. Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6.30-9.30pm (8.30pm Sun)

TALBOT INN
Mells, Frome, BA11 3PN
Tel: 0845 200 4529, web: www.talbotinn.com
● Traditional fare (rabbit & cider pie, roasted Gressingham duck) is the order of the day at this warm, cosy, quintessentially English, 15th century coaching inn with low-beamed ceilings, fireplace and wooden tables. Come summer, sit outside in the lovely cobbled courtyard. Substantial mains like classic fish & chips are good value at around £10, and there’s a daily changing specials board. Sunday lunch clocks in at £12.95. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 6.30-11.30pm, Sun 12noon-3pm & 7-10.30pm

THORNBURY CASTLE
Castle St, Thornbury, BS35 1HH
Tel: 01454 281182, web: www.thornburycastle.co.uk
● Thornbury Castle, with its 15 acres of grounds, is steeped in 500 years of history, with the Tudors, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn all having made appearances over the years. Dine in the beautifully preserved Tudor Hall (which looks like a set for a medieval film) or Tower Room, complete with arrow-slit windows and chamber-pot recesses. Food is modern and international, and the cheeseboard is well renowned. ALC dinner costs £48 for three courses.

WHATLEY MANOR
Easton Grey, Malmesbury, Wilts SN16 0RB
Tel: 01666 822888, Web: www.whatleymanor.com
● Double Michelin starred dining courtesy of acclaimed head chef Martin Burge in one of the most elegant, exclusive, contemporary country house hotels in the West. Choose to dine in either the hotel’s main Dining Room or take a more laid-back approach in Le Mazot for a less formal brasserie experience. On selected Sundays, £38 gets you a three-course Le Mazot lunch and a classic film in the hotel’s own screening room, or you could opt to pay £68 for a two-course dinner preceded by full use of the hotel’s award-winning spa. Back in the Dining Room, feast on an elegant display of exquisite, complex but strictly locally sourced dishes from the Burge-meister’s kitchen in super-glam surroundings. The three-course dinner menu comes in at around £70pp, and the seven-course £85pp Tasting Menu is highly recommended (£135pp with specially selected wines).

WILD DUCK INN
Drakes Island, Ewen, Glos, GL7 6BY
Tel: 01285 770310, web: www.thewildduckinn.co.uk
● Glorious garden, and a fabulous restaurant hailing from the 1560s. Food is created from local organic produce, and the old portraits on the warm red dining room walls conjure up an intimate atmosphere. Head chef Richard Mann’s inspirations are modern British and European with the odd nod to the Far East. Mains cost around £18. Open Food served Mon-Fri 12noon-2pm & from 6.45pm, all day at weekends

WINFORD MANOR HOTEL - LABYRINTH RESTAURANT
Winford Manor Hotel, Old Hill, Winford, Bristol, N Somerset, BS40 8DW
Tel: 01275 472292, web: www.winfordmanor.co.uk
● The Labyrinth – one of the most attractively located vegetarian restaurants in bristol. Food is uncomplicated yet varied, using fresh, seasonal ingredients. You will notice that we have a full Vegetarian menu. We believe that your choice should not be limited simply because you have different dietary requirements. As all of our food is cooked fresh to order, we are able to adjust our dishes & accommodate any special dietary requirements. We strive to cook only the finest foods, sourced as locally as possible and prepared here in the kitchen at Winford Manor Hotel. As we cook only to order, in busier times there will be a delay. We are sure it will be worth the wait.

WOODFORD LODGE
Chew Valley Lake, Chew Stoke, Bristol, BS40 8XH
Tel: 01275 331365
● Set on the banks of the Chew Valley Lake – it doesn’t get much more tranquil than this. The attractive modern lodge boasts lovely views of sailing boats, birds and fishermen, and while dinners are reasonably priced and nicely presented, we recommend coming for lunch to make the most of the calm waters and holiday atmosphere, though it can get busier in summer months. Lunch menu is varied, fish features heavily, and Sunday roasts are very popular. Open From 8am during fishing season, closed Mon in winter

WOODLANDS COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL
Hill Lane, Brent Knoll, Somerset, TA9 4DF
Tel: 01278 760232, web: www.woodlands-hotel.co.uk
● Warm red and cool green ivy clad this attractive farmhouse at the foot of Brent Knoll, in four acres of Somerset gorgeousness, with lovely walks nearby. Restaurant concentrates on well-presented modern British dishes, with a daily changing menu featuring the likes of sirloin steaks, sea bass on salsa verde, and the ever-popular apple & blueberry crumble. Classic cream teas, too. Open Every evening for dinner

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