The Elsted Inn

Passionately run restaurant with exposed brick, wooden beams and a rustic feel. Boldly flavoured dishes are generously proportioned. Cooking is classically based but employs modern techniques. The regular gourmet evenings are a hit.

Village pubs don’t come much more inviting than this, an immaculate 14th-century inn offering layer upon layer of charm. First there’s the bucolic setting, a small village nestled among the natural beauty of the South Downs; enter inside and you’re greeted not just by the friendly team but the even friendlier pub dog. Once seated in the gorgeously refurbished interior, the high-quality cooking duly completes the package. Expect hearty, traditional British dishes bursting with flavour, like devilled kidneys on toast followed by a Barnsley chop.

When you settle down to eat at what is reputedly England’s oldest commercial vineyard, the feeling you’ve found your own little slice of paradise washes over you. As you walk up to the beautiful timber-and-glass building through the kitchen garden, you will spot some of the ingredients that you’ll soon be eating. Take your seat with a view of the vines and the glorious South Downs, accompanied by a glass of bubbly from the Hambledon Estate. This idyllic scene is bolstered by fresh, appealing dishes like sea bream with tomato risotto.