Cavendish Hotel

On the Chatsworth Estate, the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire's country seat, the Cavendish Hotel is a supremely civilised place to stay and eat. There's been an inn on this spot for a good while (even local historians aren't sure when it first opened its doors, but it was a long time ago), and today's incarnation has plenty of period charm. It's been done out with a good deal of good taste by the Duke and Duchess with lots of antiques and original paintings. The Gallery restaurant is a traditional and elegant room, with smartly laid tables and a service team who are entirely on the ball. On the menu is some ambitious and creative food based on good local ingredients. Start, perhaps, with Gressingham duck in a terrine with foie gras, prunes and Armagnac, its richness cut with the accompanying pineapple, plus pain d'épice. Next up, slow-cooked belly of pork with Thai flavours, seared scallop and satay sauce, and, to finish, glazed lemon tart with raspberry doughnuts, consommé, powder and basil sorbet.