Horse & Groom - Bourton on the Hill

This grade II listed Georgian building has been tastefully-restored by the Greenstock brothers, and now houses an excellent pub with rooms, with views over the Cotswold countryside.

While still being a local, where you can enjoy a pint of real ale, a daily-changing blackboard menu offers robust dishes of carefully-sourced seasonal food.

A late summer visit brought 'Roast Fennel and Orange Soup with Thyme Oil'; 'Breaded Fillets of Flounder with Wild Rocket'; 'River Fowey Rock Oysters with Shallot Dressing' and 'Buffalo Mozzarella, with Char-grilled Vegetables and Basil Oil' among the starters.

'Roasted Monkfish, with Baked Aubergine Chili Jam and Crème Fraîche'; 'Braised Shank of Lamb with Creamed Leeks and Thyme Oil'; 'Grilled Whole Lemon Sole with Dill Butter Sauce' and 'Confit of Duck Leg with Soft Polenta and Star Anise Jus' among the mains.

If you have room you might be tempted by 'Chocolate Mousse with Crème Fraîche and Fresh Raspberries'; 'Vanilla Panacotta with Rhubarb Compote'; or Apple and Blackberry Crumble'. While the more savoury-toothed, can enjoy their selection of British cheeses.

The professionalism of the operation is carried through to the friendly and unobtrusive service.

After an enjoyable evening, you might find you want to stay the night in one of their comfortable bedrooms - See our 'Places to Stay' section.