Hare & Hounds Hotel

Originally a farmhouse, the greater part of this traditional Cotswolds' hotel was built in 1928 to house an Indian maharaja and his entourage who were playing at the nearby Beaufort Polo Club. These days a charming rural hotel with bags of character, it has restored period features and a country-house feel. In the Beaufort Restaurant, with its views over the pretty landscaped garden, you'll find wooden beams in the vaulted ceiling, original stone window frames against saffron-coloured walls, linen-laid tables and plenty of lamps to create a welcoming glow. Classical French cuisine gets a British reworking in a menu which might feature ham hock and foie gras terrine with carrot and cardamom purée, pickled wild mushroom and carrot salad with toasted brioche, followed by pan-fried Brixham gurnard with scallops, samphire, saffron potato, purple sprouting broccoli and beurre blanc. Finish indulgently with a dark chocolate delice, served with peanut butter ice cream and salted caramel peanuts. Seamless formal service comes with a smile.