Bites

Et in arcadia we go, to find something delicious to eat then stroll it off in an English country garden

Gravetye Manor

The house is Elizabethan, the famous gardens the work of William Robinson in the English natural style, the hotelkeeping meticulous, the oak-panelled dining room Michelin-starred and the wine list legendary. £52 for a seasonal three-course dinner. For a price, then, the best of everything in 1,000 acres of Sussex woodland near Gatwick.

East Grinstead, West Sussex (01342 810567)

The Spread Eagle Inn

If a pint of Bristol-brewed Courage or Wadworth's 6X and a steak and kidney pie is more the ticket than scones and lemon drizzle cake in a National Trust tea room, The Spread Eagle has its welcoming arms open. The 200-year-old inn is at the entrance to Stourhead, and serves superior pub grub all day. Stay in one of the bedrooms and entrance to the gardens and house is free.

Stourhead, Stourton, Wiltshire (01747 840587)

Jeremy's at Borde Hill

Ablaze with camelias and azaleas, Borde Hill Gardens are in full spring bloom, and Jeremy's attractively bright and unflorid restaurant, across a cobbled courtyard and with its own walled garden behind, can't help but be inspired by the seasons. The zesty modern English menu currently has roast asparagus fritatta with truffle cream sauce as a typically exuberant and tempting option. Good for Sunday lunches, romantic dinners, and summer lunches on the terrace outside.

Balcombe Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (01444 441102)

Greywalls

Lutyens and Jekyll are the double whammy responsible for this beautifully symmetrical country house and walled garden right by Muirfield golf course. But don't wear gardening or golfing gear for dinner in this family-run hotel. For £40 a head the dining room (overlooking the 10th tee) serves fillet of sea trout with lobster and coriander broth and spring lamb with chorizo and sun-blush tomato with due formality.

Muirfield, Gullane, East Lothian (01620 842144)