The Bell At Skenfrith

The very definition of a destination restaurant, this place's isolated woodland feel is part of its inherent charm, as are the nature-inspired colour theme and rustic wood flooring. Ingredients are sourced from the Wye Valley and their own kitchen garden, and are used in dishes with a creative streak. Middle White suckling pig is one of their signatures, prepared with a nose-to-tail ethos that includes a croquette of minced pig's head, an offal faggot and compressed shoulder. There’s also a particularly creative vegetarian menu. Bedrooms follow the theme of bringing nature inside.

Three converted sheds hidden away in the heart of town play host to this bright, airy restaurant with an attractive summer courtyard for alfresco dining. The menu lists an enticing, seasonally changing selection of well-priced small plates and larger sharing dishes. Robust, satisfying flavours abound across the cooking, starting strong with the excellent sourdough and Marmite butter. The team are welcoming and friendly, and their operation also includes a coffee shop and deli on the High Street.

This understandably popular local pub has origins dating back to the 17th century and began life as a cottage, built from stone taken from the nearby Norman castle. Today, it's a smart, whitewashed property with a characterful interior – imagine stone fireplaces and plenty of beams – along with a garden terrace for when the sun is shining. The cooking has a traditional heart, featuring robust, flavoursome dishes such as lamb rump, fish of the day or sirloin steak and chips. The charming service team add to the appeal, as do the four bedrooms.

There's a charmingly rustic feel to this smartly run rural inn close to the Victorian market town of Usk. A white-washed exterior, log-burning stove and wooden beams all add to the appeal, while the chefs do their part with a concise menu of well-executed, classically based cuisine. The fish cookery is a particular highlight, as evidenced by dishes like hake with a terrific butter sauce and capers. Everything is made in-house, including the ice creams and sorbets for dessert.