1. The Tinners Arms, Cornwall
Built in 1271 to house the masons constructing St Senara's church next door, this unspoilt, stone-built inn is set in glorious countryside a short distance from the coastal path (hence its popularity with walkers) and is a real getaway with no mobile phone signal and no TV. In fine weather, the sheltered courtyard and terrace at the back come into their own. Tinners Ale on tap.
Light, airy bedrooms are on the first floor of a separate house a few steps across the courtyard and are decorated in a fairly traditional manner.
The food: A laudable effort to source local produce, with blackboards listing fish and vegetarian specials. The quality of the simple, homely food has people flocking here, especially in high summer.
· Zennor, St Ives; +44(0)1736 796927; tinnersarms.com; Four rooms at £40-£70 a night. Food: 12-2.30pm, 6-9pm, main courses from £8.25.
2. The Manor House Inn, Somerset
A 17th-century inn, off the beaten track in a pretty Somerset village. The ancient interior includes exposed brick walls, worn slate floors and open fires. Three bedrooms are housed in an old mews at the back of the inn. They have a cottagey feel, with floral curtains, cream bedspreads and soft lighting (but up-to-date flat-screen TVs, too). The chatty bar serves real ales such as Butcombe Bitter and Otter Ale.
The food: Emphasis is placed on sourcing of local ingredients, and the menu flits between tried- and-tested pub favourites and some modern gutsy cooking of, say, pan-fried pigeon breast on wild mushroom risotto with port and redcurrant sauce.
· Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet; +44 (0)1479 860276; manorhouseinn.co.uk; Three rooms at £50-£90 a night. Food: 12-2pm, 7-9.30pm (not Sun eve), main courses from £6.95
3. The George and Dragon, Wiltshire
At first sight, the George and Dragon looks like just another boozer, but out back the summer garden and higgledy-piggledy buildings add bags of character. Step inside the rustic bar and you are transported back to 1645, to a world of wooden floors, farmhouse benches and a large stone fireplace. Wonky floors and wood panelling are prominent within the three individual bedrooms. Plasma screens, feature fireplaces and iPod attachments bring it up-to-date.
The food: Fish is the speciality here. It comes fresh from Cornwall, and the ever-changing chalkboard menu has dishes ranging from creamy baked potted crab and smoked haddock and chive risotto to grilled sardines with lemon oil. The set Sunday lunch (served until 4pm) is excellent value and, to drink, you'll find local Butcombe ale on tap and a raft of wines by the glass.
· Rowde, Devizes; +44 (0)1380 723053 (no website); Three rooms at £65-£85 a night. Food: 12-3pm (4pm Sun), 7-10pm (6.30-10pm Sat), main courses from £10.50
4. The George, East Sussex
A magical Sussex village situated at the foot of the South Downs beside the Cuckmere River is the setting for this Grade II-listed inn. First licensed in 1397, it creaks with age and oozes historic charm, from its head-cracking oak beams to the vast inglenook fireplace in the classic, hop-adorned bar. Order a pint of Abbot Ale and relax with the newspapers on a cushioned settle by the fire in winter, or head out into the peaceful garden in summer.
Refurbished rooms retain the inn's original features, so expect timbered walls, vaulted ceilings and leaded windows in the oldest rooms. There are big sleigh beds and feature fireplaces, bespoke furniture and modern ensuite bathrooms. Rear rooms have views of the South Downs. Bike hire can be arranged, picnics prepared for walkers, and hampers made up for those heading for Glyndebourne.
The Food: Follow a brisk morning's walk on the Downs with lunch in the bar. Share one of the rustic boards – salami, baked mustard ham and chorizo served with breads, warm olive oil, balsamic vinegar and roasted garlic – or go for the brie and bacon sandwich, served with either chips or a small bowl of soup. Cooking style moves up a notch or two in the evenings.
· Alfriston, + 44 (0)1323 870319; thegeorge-alfriston.com; Six rooms at £90-£130; single £60. Food: 12-2.30pm, 7-10pm, main courses from £10.50
5. The Red Lion, Warwickshire
Although still very much the village local, it appeals equally to those after a decent meal or stay, with the wood-burning stoves and open fires in the stone-flagged bar making it a great place for a relaxing pint of real ale. All five rooms were refurbished in 2006 and, although not particularly big, they are simply and tastefully kitted out.
The food: Food is big business at the Red Lion, with a warren of rooms ensuring there's a table for all. Substantial main courses range from homemade steak and Hook Norton pie and char grilled free-range pork cutlet with white onion and sage sauce to herb-baked sea bass with caramelised lemons and the ever-popular cod and chips served on the Red Lion Times.
· Long Compton; +44 (0)1608 684221; redlion-longcompton.co.uk; Five rooms, £50-£100. Food: 12-2.30pm, 6-9pm Mon to Thu; 12-9.30pm Fri to Sun, main courses from £10.50, set menu £9.95-£11
6. The Crown Inn, Cambridgeshire
Thatch-and-stone inn tucked away behind a towering chestnut tree by the green. Click open the latch-door to find oak beams and timbers aplenty, natural wood and stone, and a vast inglenook in the classic bar. Beyond, you'll find a cosy lounge and light and airy conservatory restaurant. Of the four rooms, two are tucked beneath the thatch in the pub, with two set around the rear courtyard.
The food: Local produce is the mainstay of the seasonal lunch and dinner menus, and chalkboard specials feature local butchers' meats and fish and shellfish landed at North Sea ports. Don't miss the Sunday roast lunches or the summer barbecues.
· Elton, Peterborough; + 44 (0) 1832 280232; thecrowninn.org; Four rooms, from £80; single from £60. Food: 12-2.30pm (3pm Sun), 6.30-9pm (not Sun evening & Mon), main courses from £9; Sunday lunch £9.50-£16.95
7. The Falkland Arms, Oxfordshire
The historic village of Great Tew provides the setting for this 500-year-old, creeper-clad stone inn. Hidden away at the end of a row of thatched cottages opposite the church, The Falkland Arms is a real gem with worn flagstones, rough stone walls and a prized collection of hundreds of jugs and mugs hanging from sagging old beams in the main bar. Evening meals are served the dining room – booking always advisable.
Five bedrooms are tucked beneath the heavy thatch. The largest, up a second flight of steep steps under the eaves, has a pitched ceiling and views across the Tew Valley.
The food: Good range of real ales, farm ciders, over 40 malt whiskies and plenty of country wines to choose from behind the bar. Fresh food from locally produced ingredients, with blackboard menus offering good value for money.
· Great Tew, Chipping Norton; +44 (0)1608 683653; falklandarms.org.uk; Five rooms, £85-£110. Food: 12-2pm, 7-8pm (not Sun evening), main courses from £8 bar lunch, £11.50 eves in the restaurant
8. The Alma Inn, West Yorkshire
Standing high on the heather-clad moors with breathtaking views of the Ryburn Valley, this traditional Yorkshire pub is welcoming and warm, with fireplaces at either end. Old settles and a gently ticking grandfather clock continue the sense of tradition. Timothy Taylor's Golden Best and Landlord on tap and over a hundred Belgian beers to choose from.
The five bedrooms are simply but comfortably furnished – all have king-size beds and good-quality bathrooms. Plump for one of the three rooms at the front for dramatic views down the valley.
The food: Fruit and vegetables come from a nearby market, and meat is bought locally on the bone and matured in-house, with every last bit used in stocks and gravy. Game and fish are delivered weekly from the west coast of Scotland, but there's a proper Italian theme going on and a genuine Italian wood-burning pizza.
· Sowerby Bridge; +44 (0)1422 823334; almainn.com; Five rooms, £70; single £50. Food: 12-8.30pm (10pm Fri & Sat), main courses from £8
9. Red Pump Inn, Lancashire
Drive through the country lanes on the edge of the Trough of Bowland to find this handsome roadside pub. The bar has open fires and shuttered windows look out on fabulous views. Pick up one of the books scattered around for a read in the snug. Local beers include Grindleton Ribble Rouser brewed down the road in Clitheroe, and Timothy Taylor's Landlord.
The three bedrooms are decorated in restful creams with chocolate brown silk bed throws and cushions, flat-screen TVs and Egyptian cotton bed linen. All have views of Pendle Hill and Longridge Fell.
The food: The menu features local game, with a rare sighting of jugged hare!
· Bashall Eves; +44 (0)1254 826227; theredpumpinn.co.uk; Three rooms, £70-£85, singles £50-£70. Food: 12-2pm, 6-9pm (12-7pm Sun), main courses from £8.95
10. The Pheasant Inn, Cheshire
The Pheasant was already a pub in 1650, though it was also once a farm. This is great walking country and The Pheasant stands in the middle of one of the biggest walks in the country, the Sandstone Trail.
Recent months have seen a revamp inside the inn: the original beams, wooden floors and vast fireplace stand intact, but there is an updated vibe. The 12 bedrooms located in the main building and the stable wing are boutique-hotel standard.
The food: The Pheasant operates as a destination dining pub as well as a stop-off for hungry walkers. Raw materials are sourced, where possible, from local farms and waters.
·Higher Burwardsley, Tattenhall; +44 (0)1829 770434; thepheasantinn.co.uk; 12 rooms at £65-£130. Food: Main courses from £9.50
· This is an edited extract from Room At The Inn, a new series of four regional guides published by the AA at £9.99 each
