Old Vicarage

This Victorian country house, set on a hill overlooking the Moss Valley, is a beauty to behold, especially in summer when the gardens come into their own: indeed, some adore it so much that they decide to get married here. Tessa Bramley is one of the few female British chefs to hold a Michelin star, & she can always be found in her kitchen, giving innovative twists to the British classics that she knows so well. A casserole of crayfish & scallop is served infused with cardamom, cumin & lemongrass, while sage-roasted saddle of Ridgeway hare is teamed with spiced pears & beetroot, stir-fried leeks & celeriac. Desserts are excellent – try the sweet woodruff ice cream with old-English raspberry & sherry trifle – & the selection of unpasteurised British farmhouse cheeses is outstanding.