Rooms at the Huntsman Inn

A striped canopy strung with fairy lights beckons you into this delightful bottle shop and bistro where you can feel the joy and passion of the team coursing through their work. A concise, regularly changing à la carte is chalked up on the blackboard – and it makes great use of ingredients from the team’s own smallholding. With produce and cooking this good, along with sensible pricing, every penny spent brings with it bucketloads of flavour. Straightforward is the name of the game, with the likes of homemade pasta and a terrific tarte Tatin on offer.

This 17C stone farmhouse sits on a bank of the River Wye and is run by a friendly couple. Its simple, rustic interior comprises a spacious lounge and a cosy, welcoming restaurant with an inglenook fireplace. The gutsy, modern British cooking has a classic French backbone and the odd Italian or Asian touch. Booking is essential and the menu is sent a day in advance for pre-ordering. Bedrooms are comfortable and some have river views.

Everyone is asked to arrive at this well-run restaurant at 7pm – and that usually includes a loyal band of locals. The 3-hour menu takes on a surprise tasting format and there’s the option of matching wines or non-alcoholic options. Humble ingredients are used in ambitious, sometimes rather unusual combinations, which are precisely prepared. Service is structured and passionate, with dishes delivered by the chefs themselves.