Fancy heading out of London for a short break in the countryside, but want to try somewhere new? If you're looking for stone floors, open fires, glorious countryside and great food, you'll need our guide to the best pubs with rooms and country inns that have opened up since last summer.
The Norman Knight
Cotswolds - Ascott Road, Whichford, Shipston-on-Stour, CV36 5PE
Run by the same team behind The Kingham Plough, this country pub is in the kind of idyllic Cotswolds setting that sends Americans into a tizzy. The 17th-century pub overlooks the village green in Whichford, and everywhere you go there are open fires and nooks for cosying up with a pint and a book. The kitchen is in the capable hands of Head Chef Ray Pullen, who was previously at The Bull in Charlbury. There's an all-day menu with great pork pies and sandwiches, while the main menu might feature a savoury onion tart made with Rollright cheese tart or a blood orange trifle.
The rooms: There are nine in total, four in the pub itself and five luxury outdoor cabins, which would be great for anyone with a dog. The bathrooms have roll-top baths and walk-in showers, and rates include breakfast.
Follow them on Instagram: @thenormanknight
Fleur de Lys
Dorset - 5 Wimborne St., Cranborne, Wimborne BH21 5PP
This is the ninth pub with rooms by The Chickpea Group, but their first in Dorset. Having been closed for months, we can only guess at how pleased locals are to have this pub not only reopened but looking so lovely. They even offer packed lunches if you're going on a shoot nearby. On the food front, the group are known for their sourdough pizzas, but they also have a main menu with classic pub fare done well with dishes including venison frites (rather than steak frites), their own handmade shortcrust pies with mash and gravy and snacks like Westcombe rarebit croquettes.
The rooms: There are nine rooms upstairs, all boasting king-size beds with featherdown bedding, Moroccan rugs and en-suite bathrooms with Land & Water products.
Follow them on Instagram: @fleurdelyscranborne
The Wild Duck Inn
Cirencester - Drakes Island, Cirencester GL7 6BY
Country Creatures' newest pub opened in the town of Ewen this spring. It's a sixteenth-century Grade II listed Cotswolds coaching inn (which most recently was the gardener's house for the nearby Ewen Manor) that's been transformed into a gorgeous-looking pub with rooms. Exposed oak beams and an absolutely massive inglenook fireplace are what it's all about here in winter, while there's a huge garden complete with wood-fired barbecue waiting for warmer days. Expect to find local beers on tap at the bar, while the restaurant is headed up by chef Richard Sandiford (ex-Hawksmoor and Cubitt House). His menu plunders the local larder so there's local burrata salad, Bibury trout and Gloucester Old Spot pork chops on offer. In the mornings, you can go big with a full English, or keep things healthy with winter fruit compote, granola and kefir.
The rooms: There are 19 bedrooms at this inn, with thoughtful touches like locally-made rugs and vintage bathtubs. A family room features a bunkbed for the kids and there are some that also boast terraces with a view.
Follow them on Instagram: @thewildduckewen
The Bryntirion Inn
Snowdonia - Llandderfel, Bala LL23 7RA
Having most recently headed up the kitchen at the currently closed Le Manoir, chef Luke Selby is now Chef Partner of Palé Hall hotel, where he's just relaunched the estate's 300-year-old pub with rooms. Luke and Bryntirion's Head Chef Ethan Cleary have come up with a menu of what they describe as "refined takes on pub classics, rooted in the rich terroirs of North Wales". What that means in practice is dishes such as black pudding scotch eggs with brown sauce, beer-battered cod and chips that come with a curry sauce and a good Welsh cheeseboard selection. Handily, the inn is a ten-minute walk to the main hotel so you can also pop in there for a drink or a meal.
The rooms: There are six bedrooms at the inn, each named after a Welsh mountain peak. In the mornings, there's a continental breakfast hamper delivered to guests.
Follow them on Instagram: @thebryntirion
The Bradley Hare Inn
Wiltshire - Church Street, Maiden Bradley, Warminster BA12 7HW
The team behind the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Beckford Bottle Shop in Bath are responsible for the new look of the 19th-century Wiltshire coaching inn. So you'll find Farrow & Ball wallpaper lining the pub, hand-coloured maps on the wall, and someone's been busy looting local auction rooms for knick-knacks. The pub's old skittle alley is now a cosy sitting room for guests and locals, and there are some amazing walks to be had on the West Wiltshire Downs. On tap, there's their own label ale along with other craft beers and ciders, while a seasonally changing menu might feature wild garlic soup, Dartmoor venison and Cornish monkfish on the bone.
The rooms: There are 12 bedrooms in total, with seven above the pub and a further five in the coach house. All are gorgeously furnished. Our favourite touch? The larder stocked with their favourite produce from the local area.
Follow them on Instagram: @thebradleyhare
The Welldiggers Arms
Sussex - Low Heath, A283, Petworth GU28 0HG
Enjoying rolling views over the South Downs, this Sussex pub has recently been turned into one of Butcombe Brewery's boutique group of inns. Ties to the inn extend to its menu, so the milk bread comes with Butcombe Gold butter and the fish and chips are Butcombe Gold beer-battered. Even the onions with the burgers are braised in beer. If you're heading here on a sunny day, it's good to know that the pub makes the most of its bucolic setting, with a huge garden, terrace and orangery if you want to sit outside with a pint and a pie. Talking of pints, they offer a good range of cask ale and craft beer along with local ciders.
The rooms: The pub has 14 bedrooms, spread between the pub itself and its annexe and look out for home-baked treats waiting for you when you check in. Dogs are welcome here, too.
Follow them on Instagram: @thewelldiggersarms
The Candover (opening 30 May)
Hampshire - Preston Candover, Hampshire RG25 2EH
We love the idea that a drunken lunch was the catalyst to three friends buying this rural Hampshire pub and saving it from redevelopment. Formerly The Purefoy Arms, it's now being run by an ex-Cubitt House manager, so you know you're in good hands. For the food, think seasonal British produce but given a bit of a lift with a Mediterranean influence. There's a separate restaurant, but we approve of the fact that the pub is for walk-ins only, with bar snacks and their own Candover Best beer being served.
The rooms: The pub will have 10 bedrooms, including a couple of family rooms. Best of all are the garden rooms, which have four-poster beds and Juliet balconies.
Follow them on Instagram: @the_candover
The Jack O’Newbury (opening May)
Berkshire - Terrace Road North, Binfield, England, RG42 5PH
A pair of seasoned hospitality veterans are behind the transformation of this village inn into a restaurant and pub with rooms. Chef Dom Chapman (ex-The Beehive, The Royal Oak and Heston's The Hinds Head has joined forces with restaurateur Nigel Sutcliffe (The Oarsman, The Fat Duck) so good things are promised. There will be a proper dining room and terrace serving up food like lasagna of rabbit with wood blewits and chervil and wild venison faggots, mash and onion gravy. If you fancy something more casual, head to The Snug with its wood-burning stove and pub snacks. There's also a large garden terrace complete with a wood-burning oven and Argentinian grill as a draw for the summer months.
The rooms: The Jack will have 11 bedrooms, dotted around the main building, converted stables and the restored Grade II listed barn.
Follow them on Instagram: @thejackonewbury
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