The Baron At Bucknell

Debra and Phil Wright’s village pub-with-rooms on the Welsh borders ‘puts to shame places that charge twice as much’, writes a regular Guide reader. A former Georgian farmhouse with hefty beams, millstones and a cider press, it mixes and matches rusticity with contemporary comforts. Four beamed rooms have ‘calm, neutral colours, natural wood and stone’, tub chairs, a walk-in or over-bath shower; a superior room has French doors to a balcony, a spa bath and separate shower. Thoughtful extras include ‘fresh coffee, home-made shortbread, mini-choc bars’. Four adults-only garden suites have a sofa by a log-effect fire, an espresso machine and minibar, a wet-room shower, a wall of glass on to decking with a hot tub and a natural swimming pond for a morning dip. The menu runs from classics to dishes such as lamb shoulder, pistachio and herb crumb, redcurrant sauce; good plant-based options. ‘The jungle curry (veg or chicken) with sticky-rice cakes and crispy salad were nice and spicy, full of fresh veg.’ Breakfast brings a full Shropshire with local free-range eggs, or ‘an interesting vegetarian choice’. (Jill Cox)