In the Valley of the Racehorse just three miles off the M4, this village gastropub has immaculate, affordable, individually styled rooms, and suites with free-standing roll-top bath. It’s an informal place, welcoming to children and dogs, but they’re serious about food. Menus range from excellent pub grub (curry, steak, burgers) to imaginative dishes such as quail Wellington, forest berry compote, hen of the wood, grapes, roasted beetroot; pan fried halibut, saffron and mussel velouté, artichoke latke, artichoke crisps, roasted salsify. Desserts are works of culinary art. You can dine outside, with pizzas served from 3pm on summer Sundays. Vegans won’t go hungry, and kids are catered for. It's an ideal base for hikers following the Ridgeway, ‘Britain’s oldest road’.