Mercure Windsor Castle Hotel

You get a ringside seat for the Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle at this 16th-century coaching inn in the heart of Windsor. The place is rather more than a simple inn these days, of course - kitted out with bare darkwood tables and contemporary hues of aubergine and grey, Restaurant Eighteen sports a clean-cut 21st-century look that matches its imaginative, French-influenced modern menu. The kitchen sends out well-balanced and clear-flavoured dishes and has the confidence to try out interesting combinations - perhaps flavouring a pannacotta with stilton and rosemary and serving it with roast figs, caramelised walnuts and sherry-like vin de curé vinegar. Main course might run to a modish duo of spring lamb - roast rack and confit shoulder teamed with sautéed samphire, butternut purée, celeriac fondant and roast shallots - and to finish, perhaps rhubarb parfait with poached rhubarb crumble, and strawberry consommé.