Fairwater Head Hotel

In an enviable location tucked away among labyrinthine lanes just inland from where Devon meets Dorset on the Jurassic Coast, this Edwardian country bolt-hole is a soothing place to head for a spot of downtime. The Greenfields' restaurant is a cheery modern venue done out with stripped wooden floorboards, chunky unclothed wooden tables and toffee-brown high-back leather chairs. Uplifting views of the Axminster Valley and buxom Devon countryside are a backdrop to a wide-ranging repertoire of modern brasserie-style dishes, starting with scallops flambéed in whisky and cream, teamed with minted pea compôte. You might follow with pan-fried monkfish with Pernod, chive and cream sauce, while fans of local meat could go for a six-hour-roasted belly of pork stuffed with spinach and garlic, and served with sauerkraut and rich gravy. Finish with West Country cheeses or a straight-up bread-and-butter pudding with crème anglaise.