Cockhaven Arms

Bishopsteignton sits quietly at the foot of Haldon Moor, looking out over the Teign Estuary, and this is the pub that makes the most of that view. Head chef David Baldwin has come back to his West Country roots, and the discipline of catering lavish London banquets still shows in the cooking. Downstairs keeps its traditional character while opening out into a bar and restaurant with wood burners, intimate rather than cavernous.

The kitchen runs from pub classics to contemporary English cooking, all freshly prepared, with an unusually good showing for vegetarians. There are 14 en-suite rooms with powerful showers, flat screen TVs and free wi-fi, three of them with balconies over the estuary, plus continental or cooked breakfast. Outside, a large beer garden and plenty of parking. Four circular walks start from the door, dogs welcome, so come muddy and book a table first.