Shepherds Pightle

A trip to this enthusiastically run country pub feels a little like stepping back in time, in the best possible way. Serving the kind of menu where you could happily eat every dish, the kitchen favours a no-nonsense approach where big, hearty flavours and prime produce lead the way. Great use is made of cooking over fire, in dishes like wood-roasted quail served with a glossy sauce made from its roasting juices. It’s all simply joyous cooking, made even better by the welcoming team and idyllic location in the shadow of this tiny hamlet’s picturesque church.

With a terrific beachside location, this smart modern brasserie provides just what you want to see on a menu when you're beside the sea – fish and shellfish galore! Time-honoured techniques are used in reliably enjoyable classics like dressed crab and moules marinière, alongside daily fish specials such as pan-friend halibut with beurre blanc. To start, venture onto land with a dozen 'escargots' to share and, if the weather's good enough, make sure you grab a seat on the rooftop terrace that overlooks the beach.