Cornerstones

There's no shortage of history at The Royal Oak; it's reputedly one of the oldest pubs in the country and Oliver Cromwell is said to have stayed here in 1642. A strong farm-to-fork ethos runs throughout the menu, pushing organic and wild ingredients to the fore, while game is often shot to order. Assured, understated dishes are created with obvious care and a delicate touch – most have just three or four components (cod, parsnip and dulse with a cider and tarragon sauce, for instance), which allows each first-class ingredient to really shine. Charming service helps things along nicely.