La Fleur de Lys

In one of England's oldest and highest towns in the Vale of Blackmore (forever associated with a Hovis advertisement), David Shepherd, Mary Griffin and Marc Preston's restaurant-with-rooms is praised again in 2009. 'Staff are extremely pleasant,' say visitors this year, endorsing earlier comments: 'Excellent food by David, who loves to chat, and a warm welcome from Mary, who seems to run everything.' She is a cat enthusiast, and cat ornaments are everywhere. There is a comfortable lounge with sofas and armchairs. The 'immaculate' bedrooms (each named after a wine grape: Chardonnay, Merlot, etc) have a fridge, Internet access and 'delicious home-baked biscuits'. One room is suitable for a family (a cot can be provided). 'Ours had two reading chairs, a firm bed with duvet, good storage and a digital TV.' In the smart dining room, the menu might include Cornish crab mousse served on smoked salmon; roasted double breast of English partridge. Breakfast has fresh orange juice, porridge, butter and marmalade in pots. Afternoon tea and pre-dinner drinks can be served in the courtyard. The entrance to the car park is narrow. (Jean and Martyn Taylor, K and PR)