The Wellington Arms – Baughurst, Hampshire

There’s something pretty special about The Welly. Thought to have originated as the Duke of Wellington’s hunting lodge on the edge of his Stratfield Saye estate, it’s now a real foodies’ pub, owned and run with great charm by Simon Page (front of house) and Jason King (award-winning chef). Set in countryside on the Hampshire/Berkshire border, it has a prolific kitchen garden and a field where hens, bees, sheep, geese and pigs are kept. The dining room – there are just 12 highly prized tables – is delightfully informal. Jason uses homegrown ingredients in most of his carefully prepared, country-style dishes. There are four bedrooms: the Apartment is a one-bedroom suite above the pub; there are two striking guest rooms tucked away in a converted 17th century oak-framed, brick and timber hay store; and the Cart House is a green oak barn. They have all the extras, from rain showers with Malin+Goetz products to Nespresso coffee machines and excellent beds dressed in top quality linen. Breakfast is a feast, with eggs straight from their hens and divine tea cosies knitted by Simon’s mum. Who could ask for more?

Doubles from £130

+44 (0)1189 820110; thewellingtonarms.com