The Gig House, Stowupland

The bucolic village setting, lush gardens and well-kept exterior bode well as you approach this lovely village inn. Once you enter, its charming spell remains unbroken, with a friendly team and bags of character. The décor blends the modern and the traditional with aplomb, whilst maintaining a proper pub feel – you'll likely find a group of regulars and their dogs by the fire. The menu changes depending on the produce available, but you can expect gently modernised pub dishes, with steaks a feature of the menu, from sirloin to chateaubriand for two.

When the weather’s right, make a beeline for the lovely terrace of this beautiful 17th-century barn, which sits in a charming spot at the centre of a seven-acre vineyard, where there’s nothing but nature as far as the eye can see. Classically based cooking relies on well-sourced seasonal ingredients – many of which come from their own farm – and dishes are brought to the table by a charming team. The wine list includes a strong selection of classics and, of course, their own vintages too – plus the shop houses a plethora of goodies to take home.