A “rock ‘n’ roll pub” in the middle of an historic 1,000-acre deer park – that’s how one visitor describes this handsomely quirky, country-house hostelry with art on the walls and a fondness for eccentric interiors. A relaxed vibe pervades the whole place and there’s certainly little to fault here. Brit food champion Mark Hix has a finger in this particular pie, with one of his chefs running the kitchen – so it’s no surprise that the food is defined by locally inspired, seasonal flavours and earthy rusticity. Whether you’re nibbling spicy wild boar sausages with chilli jam in the bar, salivating over an “epic” steak sizzling above the massive open fire in the Elk Room, or sampling a plate of pan-fried hake with cockles, peas and bacon, the kitchen “keeps it simple but tasty”. Elsewhere, eight bedrooms offer just the right degree of comfort and luxury (plus an excuse to indulge in the splendid wine list), while service pleases everyone with its naturalness and genuine hospitality.