The Talbot Inn

There’s plenty of history in this 15th-century coaching inn with its old arched carriageway, but it’s been brought bang up to date by a shabby-chic make-over at no cost to its charm. It’s the kind of place you might find a suckling pig spit-roasting over the open fire, but where you can be sure of a comfortable night in the stylish, great-value bedrooms. This was a second venture for Dan Brod and Charlie Luxton, with Matt Greenlees (see also The Beckford Arms, Tisbury; The Lord Poulett Arms, Hinton St George; and The Bath Arms, Horningsham). They have kitted out the rooms with contemporary furniture, seagrass flooring, a retro radio, Bramley toiletries, and perhaps an emperor-size four-poster, with in-room bath. Some rooms can sleep a family; two can interconnect. Downstairs, the atmospheric bar serves plenty of traditional tipples (try the Talbot Ale), and in summer, the restaurant spills out into the cobbled courtyard. Upgraded pub classics include a very superior ploughman’s with sausage roll alongside more sophisticated dishes such as sea bass with charred grelot, chanterelles and sherry reduction, or herb polenta, pickled girolles, kalettes, walnut pesto and tomato fondue.