The Acorn Inn

A 16th-century coaching inn, this pub was immortalised as the Sow and Acorn in Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles. It stands in an area of outstanding natural beauty, with walking, fishing, shooting and riding all nearby. Inside are two oak-panelled bars - one flagstoned, one tiled - with logs blazing in carved hamstone fireplaces. The skittle alley used to be the stables, and it's rumoured that the residents' sitting room was once used by Hanging Judge Jeffreys as a court room. Most of the food is sourced from within a 15-mile radius, and the interesting menus might typically include starters such as smoked haddock and grain mustard chowder with chive cream, and mains of fillet of cod in beer batter with home-made tartare sauce; roasted loin of Dorset lamb with braised leeks, twice-baked mushroom and cheddar soufflé and Madeira jus; and a roasted leek, red pepper and ricotta tart.

A303 to Yeovil, Dorchester Rd, on A37 right to Evershot
Nearest station: Yeovil
Nearest motorway: M5 junct 25

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