A riot of wisteria in spring, this crenellated 18th-century reconstruction of a Norman castle, owned by the Chapman family since 1950, has a mix of refurbished, traditional and retro-chic bedrooms, while brasserie dishes are served in buzzy Brazz, light bites and afternoon tea in the drawing room.

At the heart of the Dyer family's dairy farm, with views to the Quantock hills, this B&B with onsite café occupies a 15th-century, red sandstone manor house, where log fires burn and an Aga-cooked breakfast is served at a 20ft oak table in the Great Hall, the walls hung with fearsome pikes and hallberds.

As much restaurant with rooms as friendly local, this 18th-century village pub, run by a husband-and-wife team, offers smart accommodation and cooking of a very high order.

Everything speaks of respect for nature, provenance and seasonality at Nicholas Balfe's restaurant with beautifully designed and generously supplied bedrooms and a buzzy vibe.

On the green of a village at the heart of the Somerset Levels, this stone-built 18th-century village inn has been updated as a stylish, contemporary drop-in bar and restaurant, with light, bright bedrooms and menus for traditionalists as well as more adventurers diners.

'Gardez la Foi' reads the Poulett family motto over the door of this thatched village pub, and the trio behind the Beckford group (see The Beckford Arms, Tisbury) have kept absolute faith with their winning concept here. The ambience is friendly and relaxed.

Behind a Georgian frontage with a century-old carved White Hart over the door, and dating in parts from the 1400s, this inn on the market square is a blend of cosy rusticity and casual chic, with stylish bedrooms, a beamed locals bar, snacks and small plates available all day, and a restaurant in the old skittle alley serving gastropub fare.

Black swans glide on the pond in the gardens of veteran jazz saxophonist Roy Copeland's late-Georgian mansion, with traditionally styled rooms, where an excellent breakfast is served in the orangery.

Popular with locals, this 18th-century village pub in the Somerset Levels has stripped-back modern interiors, boutique-style bedrooms with bags of charm, creative cooking of local, seasonal ingredients, and a wood-fired oven on the terrace for alfresco dining.

Saved from decay, completely refurbished and fitted out with flair and a sense of fun, this Georgian coaching inn has bedrooms of great character as well as seriously good food.