Where an 18th-century pub once stood, this privately owned, rebuilt-from-the-ground-up roadside hotel today has understated rooms, a traditionally styled bar, and an ‘excellent restaurant’ headed by award-winning chef Michael Chapman.

Sweep up the tree-lined avenue to this Victorian mansion standing in ‘fantastic’ Gertrude Jekyll-designed gardens; when you arrive, take in the far-reaching views of ‘lovely, peaceful’ countryside.

For ‘exceptional service’, a scandalous history, and rich views of the Thames, you’d be hard pressed to better this extensively restored Italianate mansion.

‘Attentive service’ and ‘delicious pub grub’ attract locals and visitors to Daniel and Hannah Hall’s ‘lovely’ 16th-century country inn, across the road from the village church.