Red Lion, Church Place, Freshwater, Isle of Wight (01983 754 925)

Cyclists and walkers heading along the estuary towards Freshwater make a beeline for this deliberately old- fashioned pub; sailors take to their dinghies and drift down the river for lunch when the tide is right. Three courses might set you back £18 or so - all the fish, meat and veg on the huge menu are sourced locally. Haddock wrapped in Parma ham and spinach, rib-eye steak with garlic butter, summer pudding or gooseberry crumble are typical. If it rains, lick home-made ice creams in the garden dome.

Riverside House, Fennel Street, Ashford-in-the-Water, Derbyshire (01629 814 275)

This beautiful 17th-century manor-turned-country-house hotel sits within grounds bordered by the River Wye in the Peak Park. Chef John Whelan's cooking is suitably rarefied, with desserts like race-day hats and Cornish fishes turning up en papillote to reveal their delicious scent in one rip of the bag. Gressingham duck with a risotto of smoked bacon and tomato is a hot favourite, and trio of strawberries gets the vote for most summery pud - being a mousse, a jelly and a tarragon and strawberry ice cream.

Riverstation, The Grove, Bristol (0117 914 4434)

Regulars get a loyalty card at this former HQ for Bristol's harbourside police. Deeply trendy, urban cuisine features the likes of rack of lamb with caramelised endives and steamed halibut with girolles, spring leeks, white wine and cream. Deck One has a deli and bar. Weekend brunches are madly popular.