When they bought this failing 17th-century pub facing the village green back in 2015, Amelia Nicholson and Marcus Seaman had no idea that Marcus’s great-great-grandfather once ran it. That Victorian landlord would be astonished to see it today, with the beautiful garden they have created, the ground-floor bedrooms in a flint barn, the book-lined restaurant… Still a lively social hub, it is promoted to a full entry with warm reader approval. ‘Traditional pub with a lovely atmosphere, fantastic staff and mouthwatering food,’ writes one. Each bedroom has its own style. Dual-aspect, rustic-chic Stewkey has a stable door entrance, a copper roll-top bath and walk-in shower. ‘Hindol was by far the most stylish fully accessible room we’ve stayed in.’ Each has a Roberts radio, Marcus's sloe gin, eco-friendly toiletries. Herve Stouvenel uses locally sourced ingredients in dishes such as venison rump, roasted plums and jus, ‘delightful scallops on a pea purée, perfectly crispy crackling on a massive slice of melt-in-the-mouth belly pork – yum!’ On Tuesday steak nights there is a fish and veggie option. ‘Staff were friendly and attentive.’ ‘Top marks for breakfast too.’ (David Wright, and others)