Beech House & Olive Branch

Swing off the A1 down a tree-lined lane to this award-garlanded village gastropub, with rooms in a Georgian house opposite. Host Ben Jones has an impressive CV which includes stints at Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead; Hambleton Hall, Hambleton; and as launch manager at Hart’s, Nottingham (see entries). In 1999 he and two friends bought the defunct Olive Branch, refurbished it and revived its fortunes. Chef Luke Holland creates innovative, daily-changing, seasonal menus, but fish and chips is a staple. You can eat indoors by the fire, or in a garden gazebo. ‘The food was fab,’ writes a reader. ‘A steak tartare starter was especially good, bread possibly the best I ever had, guinea hen tender and tasty.’ He did, though, crave more of the vegetables grown in the paddock. In Beech House, bedrooms are individually styled, with a Roberts radio and smart TV. Most have a coffee machine. Double Cream has a freestanding roll-top bath and walk-in shower. Accessible, dog-friendly Chocolate has two bedrooms, a lounge, wet room and patio. ‘Staff were friendly and efficient.’ A great, locally sourced breakfast is served only on days when the pub is open. (Peter Anderson, DW, MM-D)