The Swan Inn

Just across from the village green, the thatched Swan Inn blends easily with Monk Eleigh's colour-washed cottages, pretty gardens and imposing church. Wealth came from the wool trade and the original inn may have been the manorial court before affluent wool merchants first dined out here. Vestiges of the original 14th-century building remain, including the old smoke hole, wattle-and-daub panels and some fine beams supporting the thatched roof. Woodcock, teal and courgette flowers may feature on the menu here; a season for everything, and everything in its season is a guiding principal followed by chef-proprietor Nigel Ramsbottom, who honed his considerable skills at The Walnut Tree, Abergavenny, explaining the Italian influence to some dishes. Settle in with pork rillete with green tomato chutney before taking time over braised lamb knuckle with Puy lentil sauce, or monkfish wrapped in Parma ham and sage leaves, served on vegetable paella. Hot caramelised fig tart with vanilla ice cream is a fitting final flourish.