The Old Bridge Hotel

The quality of the food, drink and service offered at this elegant townhouse hotel, which stands guard over the old stone bridge over the River Ouse, lures travellers off the A14 into historic Huntingdon. It's a relaxing place, a slick hotel whose 18th-century architecture has been brought up-to-date with a contemporary design. The wide patio makes the most of the riverside setting, while, inside, lounging chairs and sofas and a comfortable, classic-looking bar draws locals and visitors for sandwiches and a pint of Adnams, or for a proper afternoon tea. The Terrace Restaurant is a striking, boldly designed room, with huge murals and big windows, making it feel like an Orangery. Menus fuse fashionable Mediterranean themes, while keeping faith with the core modern brasserie repertoire; crab linguini with lemon, parsley, garlic and chilli, for example, or halibut with cockle, mussel and potato chowder, or wild venison with beetroot sauce. The stunning wine list is a thing of beauty as is the in-house wine store with daily tastings.