Royal Oak Exmoor

Twelfth century farmhouse first, country inn second, and by its own reckoning the original and oldest of all the Royal Oaks in the area. It sits within Exmoor National Park, which tells you most of what you need to know about the walking on the doorstep and the state of your boots on the way back in. Dogs are genuinely welcome rather than tolerated, and allowed in most areas of the pub and hotel.

The kitchen makes what it can make: breads, sauces, desserts and ice creams are all done in house, with menus changing by season around locally sourced ingredients. Upstairs there are ten en-suite rooms of individual character, four posters, kings and twins, dressed with alpaca duvets and Egyptian cotton. Dogs stay in all but two rooms for £25 a stay. Open Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 11pm; call to book.