5. The Brace of Pheasants – Dorchester, Dorset

The very vision of a chocolate-box pub, this thatched Dorset hostelry ticks all the boxes. There's the beamed bar with three ales tapped from cask, a fine wine list and the food is substantial and tasty. Feel like overindulging? It also has rooms at reasonable rates.

01300 348357, braceofpheasants.co.uk