SOUTH EAST
THE ABINGDON ARMS, BECKLEY, OXON
Oxford may be less than eight miles away, but you’d never know it here in the heart of the Otmoor nature reserve. Beckley’s villagers rode to the rescue and placed the pub into the warm care of Aimee Bronock and head chef Joe Walton, who works with local suppliers to conjure up great dishes such as lamb rump with romesco sauce and smoked aubergine. Enjoy a six-mile circular walk around the reserve with views over water meadows and reed beds, perfect on a crisp autumn day. Starters from £6.50. Lunch from £8. Mains from £12, theabingdonarms. co.uk
THE PERCH, BINSEY, OXFORDSHIRE
There’s no better place to end a long country walk than at the willowfringed Perch: the fire is always lit and fantastic food is guaranteed. Eat globe artichoke and mint salad, crayfish cocktails, river trout fishcakes, English cheeses and seasonal sorbet, with a fairylight arched over the garden path down to the river. Begin a fabulous circular route from Binsey taking you along leafy river banks and through tree-filled fields and the ruins of Godstow Abbey, stunning against a backdrop of copper autumn leaves. Starters £5.95-£9.95. Mains £12.95£19.95, the-perch.co.uk
THE MERRY HARRIERS, HAMBLEDON, SURREY
Head chef Sam Page turns out pub favourites sourced from no further than 15 miles, is growing his own veg and herbs and does a bit of foraging to spice things up – nettles, wild garlic and blackberries. Meat is from Wakelings Butchers, ale is local, wine comes from Surrey vineyards and their own cider is home-pressed from Hambledon apples. The Harriers is just four miles from the famous Winkworth Arboretum, which is stunning in the autumn. Starters from £6.50. Lunch from £5.95. Mains from £13. Double rooms from £95 per night, merryharriers.com
DRINK AND BE MERRY
Enjoying a pint in the Merry Harriers (right and previous page)