The Duke of Wellington features strongly in this country house hotel where bedrooms are named after battles & the award-winning dining room is called the Wellesley. Traditional Anglo-French cooking– roast cannon of lamb with vegetable dauphinoise & cardamom sauce & baked rosewater egg custard with nutmeg ice cream – suits the historical backdrop, while luxury ingredients like foie gras, lobster & sea bass add finesse. Service is as correct as you might expect & the extensive wine list covers many fine vintages, particularly from France. The countryside setting seems wild & remote, but is easily reached from the M5. Don’t miss drinks on the summer terrace.