‘A standard to judge other places by.’ A ‘genuinely friendly’ spot, Gerry and Ann Price’s ‘well-run’ pub/restaurant-with-rooms is popular with locals, who drop by morning and evening for coffee and a chat. Stay for more: in the wood-floored bar and ‘attractive’ restaurant (thumbs up for the ‘well-spaced tables’), ‘the food is excellent’. Try beetroot-cured salmon, citrus crème fraîche, radish salad, treacle soda bread; slow-braised ox cheek, bone marrow crumb, buttered greens, mash. A ‘serious’ wine list accompanies. ‘Well set back’ on a courtyard garden (all the better to keep a distance from the busy road), ‘well-designed, practical’ bedrooms are ‘bright and modern without being trendy’. ‘Our spacious room had a large, comfortable bed and two armchairs; a smart wet room with an excellent shower. A feature wall behind the bed was covered in a charming paper of trees.’ Breakfast is served till an unhurried 11 am on the weekend. Pick from ‘a large choice’ of cooked dishes – the kedgeree is praised. A good base for varied interests: Ascot and the RHS garden at Wisley are within easy reach; Bisley shooting ground is in the next village. (JS, CR)