Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, comfortable double room, quiet and central location

At the centre of a picturesque market town sits this 16th-century red-brick house, where the interior blends historic touches and an inglenook fireplace with smart modern design. To start, sample the signature Chiltern Black ale bread, before dining from one of a variety of menus that showcase the experienced chef's accomplished cooking, where the well-measured flavour combinations have an understated complexity. Seasonality is to the fore, as evidenced by superb dishes like local lamb sweetbreads with first flush garden peas and morel mushrooms.

The Hand and Flowers' reputation goes before it, but not quite as many people are familiar with its younger sister, The Coach, despite 2025 having marked its 10th successful year. A cosy, compact pub it has a relaxed, informal vibe – and the sharing of dishes is positively encouraged. Lunchtime sees a set-priced menu, while dinner offers an extensive à la carte that includes everything from deep-fried cod with pease pudding or their ‘rotisserie of the day’ to sticky toffee pudding with beef suet. Cooking is of the highest order and the hugely satisfying dishes burst with punchy flavours.

This truly lovely spot has always had a certain quirky charm – and that remains true to this day, with the restaurant having undergone little change over the years and emanating a comforting familiarity. In summer, start with an aperitif in the delightful garden dotted with backlit sculptures; at other times, sit beside the log fire and get cosy among the eclectic décor. The kitchen makes good use of quality ingredients to create dishes whose flavours are punchy and pronounced, while the wine list is a labour of love.

Spend an hour or two at this lovely pub and you'll leave feeling a good deal happier than when you entered. The impressive kitchen and service teams will ensure you are looked-after and well-fed, inside the charming surroundings of their part-red-brick, part-timbered pub – which also boasts a lovely enclosed terrace. The cooking puts naturally delicious ingredients at the forefront and doesn't shy away from big flavours, like warming nudja with roasted poussin. Look out for the 'Steak Frites Night' and come midweek to make the most of the wallet-friendly pricing.

On the first floor of a Tring townhouse, behind a U-shaped counter, you'll find Chef Scott Barnard in his element. He visibly enjoys interacting with his guests and proudly explaining his dishes at this chef's table operation inside a striking, copper-walled room. Scott and his enthusiastic team craft creative, eye-catching creations, such as a Japanese-influenced dessert of chocolate, miso, sesame and yuzu. Arrive early to start your visit with a cocktail in the Cellar Bar.

A part of the ever-evolving Tom Kerridge stable, this is one of his busiest spots and it's easy to see why. Friendly and laid-back, it's a 'does what it says on the tin' kind of place where meats of undeniable quality are given pride of place on the menu and on the butcher's shop counter. There are some well-made snacks to whet the appetite, but really this is all about the main event: pop in for a quick burger or stay a while and enjoy the premium cuts cooked to your liking, which might include Aberdeen Angus beef, Blythburgh pork or Suffolk Texel lamb.

With its whitewashed exterior and thatched roof, this village pub certainly looks the part. Guests are welcomed by the relaxed team into a low-beamed room, where they can enjoy a full meal or a pint at the bar with nibbles. Pub classics run alongside more elaborate dishes, which are united by their well-sourced ingredients and careful preparation. While it may sound simple, the French onion soup sums up everything the kitchen does well – hearty, big-flavoured cooking that is both straightforward and skilful.