A Tudor coaching inn once known for medieval banquets and for being home (in the 1970s) to two unfortunate Himalayan sun bears, this buzzy gastropub gets the thumbs up from readers for its good, locally sourced dishes as well as its smart designer bedrooms. 'Strongly recommended,' writes one. 'A real find,' says another. It was transformed for Tom Heber-Percy of nearby neo-Elizabethan Hodnet Hall and uses produce from the hall's walled kitchen garden to create dishes such as cod, cauliflower, gooseberry, mussels or ox cheek, fregola, courgette, tomato. 'The food is excellent with constant changes.' Each of the bedrooms has its own distinct character, designer fabrics and wallpapers. They have all the Bear necessities, plus an espresso machine and Bamford toiletries. Juniper has a cosy ground-floor sitting room, a bedroom above with ensuite roll-top bath and walk-in shower. Two dog-friendly coach house rooms have courtyard access; one is accessible, with wet room. The staff are ‘easy, friendly, yet efficient’. In the morning, 'breakfast was a real highlight with homemade bread and aperitif platter including a smoothie as well as fresh orange or apple juice.'. A visit to Hodnet Hall gardens should not be missed. (Alasdair Adam, Chris Booth, and others)