Hidden Escape

It’s hard not to like this handsome Bath stone pub with character to spare, set opposite a medieval church in a sleepy Cotswolds village. It’s a family-run affair with Chef-Owner Robert Allcock proudly preparing an extensive menu that flirts with creativity but remains pleasingly rich in traditional pub favourites. Fishcakes, sausage and mash, steak and kidney pie – when you're in need of something hearty and robustly flavoured, this is the place to come. To finish, it's hard to look past the selection of homemade ice creams.

The titular garden is that of the exquisite Lucknam Park, one of the finest country house hotels in all the land. Hidden within the carefully manicured hedges, behind the 18th-century manor house, is this inviting, glass-enclosed brasserie. Sit on the gorgeous terrace or at oversized, marble-topped tables in the bright, pristine dining room and choose from a concise selection of vibrant, proudly executed dishes underpinned by textbook culinary technique. Pastas, risottos and freshly fired pizzas add to the Mediterranean vibe, while the day boat fish is hard to resist.