The Lazy Toad

The Lazy Toad Inn sits in Brampford Speke, a village on the banks of the River Exe about fifteen minutes' drive from Exeter, in an 18th-century Grade II listed building with open fires and its original features still in place. It has a listing in the Michelin Guide, run today by Harriet and Mike Daly, and it draws a mix of locals, hikers and cyclists who've walked or ridden out from the city.

The kitchen works from local and sustainable produce, and the menu blends hearty British cooking with European touches rather than sticking to one style - Sunday roast is a firm fixture, alongside a wine list that runs to English bottles as well as local ales on tap. There's a beer garden for warmer days and the pub is dog friendly throughout. Details shift with the seasons, so it's worth calling ahead if you're planning a special trip out from Exeter.