The Marquis of Lorne

Tracey and Steve Brady run this 16th century pub and inn up in the hills at Nettlecombe, a few miles inland from Bridport. It is the kind of West Dorset country local that rewards the drive: old bones, proper walls, and no obligation to eat if all you want is a drink. That balance between village pub and place to sit down for dinner is harder to strike than it looks.

The restaurant does freshly cooked, locally sourced lunches and dinners, served every day from noon until 2pm and again from 6pm until 8pm, with a slightly earlier 7.30pm finish on Sundays and Mondays. There are seven en-suite non-smoking rooms in double, twin and single occupancy, and extra beds can be added for families. Worth building a walking weekend around rather than treating as a quick stop.