Lovingly run by the Key family for 45 years, the whitewashed, flower-bedecked Nag’s Head has a charming interior sporting a hotchpotch of memorabilia and pictures, with farming implements hanging from the oak beams and – less predictably – a collection of African masks in one cosy corner. Families are made welcome, and a chatty, cheerful atmosphere prevails. This is a freehouse, with a selection of well-kept beers including Brains Reverend James and SA, Sharp’s Doom Bar and a changing guest ale, plus several wines by the glass. In the recently converted dining area, you can expect decent home cooking, with dishes ranging from game in season (maybe rabbit pie), and traditional favourites such as faggots and peas, to comforting nursery puddings – local sourcing is a priority. The river Usk is just a short walk away.