The Talbot Inn

Amid the coaching prints and framed vintage maps, there’s a ‘fantastically friendly’ atmosphere at this popular pub-with-rooms. With flagstone floors, mismatched furnishings and a cobbled courtyard, the 15th-century coaching inn ‘cheerfully’ assumes its role as village pub (Sunday movie nights are attended by locals and visitors). At dinner, choose between ‘well-priced’ pub dishes and ‘more sophisticated’ options, such as trout and prawn salad, nigella yogurt, beetroot. ‘We liked the simplicity of the table – its good glasses and tea towel-style napkins.’ Come on a weekend for the convivial grill dinner, when a whole suckling pig might be spit-roasted over an open fire. Fed well, stay the night in ‘simple, modern’ bedrooms (most up ‘steep’ stairs – help with luggage offered), each with ‘pristine’ bedlinen, a vintage Welsh blanket, ‘all-natural smellies’ and the latest tech. In the morning, find ‘creamy’ yogurt, home-made jam, ‘wonderful’ bacon at breakfast; toast your own slices from a home-baked loaf. The Beckford Arms, Tisbury (see entry), is under the same ownership. (John C Walton, and others)