By the parish church in a quiet village mentioned in the Domesday Book, this inviting pub is a popular gathering place, and makes an 'excellent overnight stop'. All-day refreshments, pub classics and inspired-by-the-seasons dishes are served in the pared-back bar and dining room, or alfresco under heated parasols, overlooking the green. 'Dinner was a big surprise,' reports a happy guest who enjoyed octopus carpaccio followed by malfatti. A garden bar serves draft beer, quality gins and English sparkling wine. Overnight guests sleep in contemporary bedrooms, where rustic features mix with modern amenities (air conditioning, a rainfall shower). Dog-friendly garden rooms have outside seating. Part of Anglian Country Inns; see also The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe. (Ralph Aldwinckle, and others)