The food in Goring is one in a Mill-ion

What? The Miller of Mansfield, a 15 room inn / pub / dining experience recently taken over by Heston Boumenthal protègès. They serve fine ales (approved by the boyf) a large selection of wines (approved by me) and celebrate the mills heritage in their menu; expect home made bread & butter and dishes with the likes of Pearl Barley. 

Where? Nestled in the beautifully sleepy Thames-side village of Goring, just 50 minutes from London Paddington and a 3 minute walk from Goring & Streatley station. It's an idealic location for an overnight stay so how convenient that The Miller has accommodation! Hotels (if we can catergorise the Miller as such) have gained a mixed reputation where food is concerned but don't be fooled, food is definitely the main event here.

Do? Stay over, that way your get to experience breakfast as well as dinner. Dinner is, if you like, three courses with an amuse-bouche. Main was the most wonderfully cooked duck with layered potato, sausage & beetroot and dessert, chocolate custard with home-made fudge & sesame crisps. Breakfast is a buffet and/or a cooked menu, which includes the best sausages you'll ever taste. 

Don't? Leave without trying a sausage roll (yes there's a sausage theme here). I did and I'm regretting it. I'm not especially a fan of sausage rolls but the scent of them as we walked through the bar was overpowering.

Three courses with amuse bouche plus 2 large glasses of wine c. £45.

Pictured. Salmon, duck and chocolate custard.

Bovey Castle: A fairy tail castle lacking the royal servants

What? Bovey Castle, a quintessentially British country house estate. Home to 60 or so rooms, a spa, 18 hole golf course and all the country pursuits you could possibly imagine.

Where? Set in the 326 miles of Dartmoor, South Devon. It really is in the middle of nowhere so take a sat nav, or a helicopter.

Do? Order a large afternoon tea each if you're hungry. We had one to share and ended up with one of everything. It wasn't disastrous but I like my sweet things and I'd have liked one to myself, especially the one bite wonders.

Don't? Expect amazing service. I initially tried to book online (via email) and after a week had no response. When I called to book there was no acknowledgement of this, nor apology. I asked if we could sit on the terrace if it was nice, and called the day prior to make sure this request could be honoured. On the day we were guided to a table indoors, and of course there were no available tables outdoors. There was no offer of extra tea, nor any level of attentiveness by the waiting staff. All quite surprising for an establishment that boasts such an upmarket clientele.

A hidden gem in Coffinswell

What. The Linny, an old coachouse dating back to 1300s. Full of history and interesting artifacts, plus great food and locally brewed beverages.

Where. Tucked away in Coffinswell, a small but beautiful hamlet lined with thatched cottages, hidden down a country lane in Kingskerswell, Devon.

Do. Leave room for dessert, if you can. My recommendation, the chocolate brownie. It's the best I've ever eaten; dense, intense and moist, just as a brownie should be. 

Don't. Leave it until you've finished to order a taxi, even if the taxi firm tells you it's fine to. It won't be, especially if it's a Saturday night and you'll be stranded in the middle of nowhere.