Midlands & the East
Nestled in the rolling folds of the Cotswolds countryside, close to the cultural hub of Stratford upon Avon, is this 18th-century coaching inn, polished to perfection by Tania, Adrian and their team. There are beautiful fireplaces and gleaming tables, fine china and generous sprays of wild flowers – it all tells a tale of comfort and luxury, while the smiling staff are rightly proud of this gem of a pub. You dine like kings and queens in the sparkling bar, or in the clever conversion at the back, overlooking grounds that are part orchard, part walled garden. You can borrow wellies and a walking map for bracing stomps through the nearby fields and village. NB: There is another celebrated Duck pub in Stratford – the Black Swan beside the RSC auditorium, renamed The Dirty Duck by American troops billetted in the town during World War II – but the Fuzzy is the cosier.
Double rooms from £110 per night; fuzzyduckarmscote.com
THE BLUE BALL INN, Grantchester, Cambridgeshire
Perfectly positioned overlooking Grantchester Meadows, just two miles from Cambridge city centre, this pub serves home-cooked fare with a warm welcome. There’s a beautiful walk that takes in the “backs” of the colleges, before joining the river path back through the meadow. The village’s annual Barrel Race is a highlight; the
Blue Bull’s ladies’ team are the reigning champions in the relay race, which sees the local pubs take on one another by rolling a wooden barrel. But even if you miss the competition and associated festivities, you can look forward to a warming ale by the fireside throughout the winter months.
Double rooms from £120 per night; blueballgrantchester.co.uk
THE OLIVE BRANCH, Clipsham, Rutland
The Olive Branch is 400 years old and an absolute gem, with a young and enthusiastic team who are hugely knowledgeable about outdoor pursuits in their area and will give you a warm welcome. Park here and walk out via the pub’s paddock to the local Clipsham quarry, where stone was sourced for the Houses of Parliament. You can look forward to great food from the award-winning kitchen on your return.
Double rooms from £120 per night; theolivebranchpub.com
THE HUNDRED HOUSE HOTEL, Shifnal, Shropshire
The Phillips family have been at the helm for 25 years, and Henry is an innkeeper with humour. As for the inn, having begun its life in the 14th century, it rambles charmingly inside as well as out. Enter a world of blazing log fires, soft brick walls, oak panelling and quarry-tiled floors, while blackboard menus trumpet Hundred House fish pie, roast rack of Shropshire lamb and double chocolate mousse with orange anglaise. Nestled in rural Shropshire near the Welsh border, walk from the door to catch spectacular views.
Double rooms from £79 per night; hundredhouse.co.uk
THE BULL & SWAN AT BURGHLEY, Stamford, Lincolnshire
This ancient inn sits a short walk from the middle of the glorious Burghley estate – celebrated for the annual world-class three-day equestrian event – where you can walk in the grounds and gardens that surround Burghley House itself. Inside the Bull & Swan you’ll discover varnished wood floors, golden stone walls, fires smouldering in grates all over the place and newspapers hanging on poles. At the bar there’s a raft of local ales and splendid wines, and you can eat wherever you want. Bring the dog, too.
Rooms from £100 per night; hillbrookehotels.co.uk/the-bull-andswan