Bites

Hampstead's all very well for stretching your legs in London, but if you're further afield, where's a good place for a pit stop?

The Drunken Duck

The Drunken Duck

Not your typical hikers' inn, but there's fabulous walking nearby for those who go easy on lunch. It's off the beaten track, but etched on Cumbria's gastronomic map, which means people make a detour (by car) to eat duck breasts with shallots, chestnuts and shiitake mushrooms, or at the very least beer-battered cod with chips. Evening appetites are well rewarded, too.

Barngates, near Ambleside, Cumbria (015394 36347)

Peter Tavy Inn

Ales rather than wine are advisable if you're walking, and this Dartmoor pub has several, including the locally brewed Jail Ale and Tamar. Almost everyone comes to eat - anything from filled baked potatoes or baguettes to monkfish Provençal or game casserole. That's for lunch when most main courses aren't more than £8. At dinner things go up a notch and the jacket potatoes and chips are dropped.

Peter Tavy, Devon (01822 810348)

The Red Lion

Just outside the Peak District National Park and overlooking Carsington Reservoir, this inn's flagstone floor is used to boots made for walking walking all over it. The food extends beyond baguettes and lasagne to steaks, and a couple of good vegetarian choices such as roast veg goulash or mushroom stroganoff with basmati rice. Some of the best pub food in the area.

Hognaston, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire (01335 370396)

The Stephan Langton

Within hiking distance of Leith Hill, one of the highest points in the south of England, this secluded pub is a Surrey high spot for food and great for an impromtu outdoor lunch. Sourdough is baked daily. Try it with the chicken liver, pigeon and bacon terrine and green tomato chutney. Slow roast pork with peas baked in saffron and tomato with Jersey Royals shouldn't slow anyone down too much (and only lighten the wallet by £10.50). But strawberry soup with lavender shortbread and white chocolate cheesecake could put the kybosh on any after-lunch effort. Fuller's ales.

Friday Street, Abinger Common, Surrey (01306 730775)