Kemps Country House

Kemps is a commodious country house in a south-facing position looking over the Frome Valley towards the Purbeck Hills, a particularly picturesque slice of Dorset (and handy for the local Monkey World, primate-fans). The prettily decorated white dining room with its net curtained ceiling makes a relaxing venue for the brasserie-style cooking the place trades in. Start with a painstakingly constructed parcel of duck confit in filo pastry with dressed leaves, before considering a shank of local lamb, served with roast honeyed root veg, creamy mash and redcurrant jus, or battered cod with chips and mushy peas. It's simple, but effective, hearty food, concluding perhaps with chocolate and raspberry tart, served with densely rich clotted cream ice cream.