What is Trencherman’s Guide?

Trencherman’s Guide is the definitive guide to the South West’s most exceptional restaurants, inns and dining experiences, curated by industry experts.

Which restaurants are featured in the guide?

Each edition features over 100 hand-picked restaurants across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, all chosen for their outstanding food and hospitality.

What is included in the guide?

The guide showcases detailed write-ups of exceptional restaurants, inns and dining destinations, with insider recommendations, chef profiles and expert insights into the South West food scene.

Which regions does the guide cover?

The guide covers Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

How much does Trencherman’s Guide cost?

The guide is available for £12.99 plus delivery. UK delivery is charged at £3.95 per copy, with international shipping available at additional cost.

How much does delivery cost?

UK delivery is charged at £3.95 per copy. International delivery is available at additional cost depending on destination.

How long does delivery take?

Orders are dispatched within 2 working days. UK delivery usually takes 3–5 days, while international delivery can take 2–3 weeks depending on destination.

Is there a digital version of Trencherman’s Guide?

The guide is currently available only as a beautifully printed book. A digital or PDF version is not available.

Can I buy past editions of Trencherman’s Guide?

A limited number of past editions are sometimes available. Availability may vary, so please check the shop for current stock.

Historic country hotels

Opulence awaits at these ancient hotels

Enjoy luxurious lodgings and a taste of history in a getaway fit for royalty at one of these historic country hotels in the South West

Thornbury Castle, Bristol

History buffs and fine-dining enthusiasts who enjoy unique country hotels will be enamoured by this staycation destination near Bristol. Once the property of Henry VIII, Thornbury Castle is now a luxury Relais & Châteaux hotel which blends Tudor splendour with the best of 21st-century hospitality.

England’s most notorious ruler may have spent only ten days at his grand pile on the south Gloucestershire border, but the interiors of this striking castle are dressed as if it’s expecting a second visit at any moment.

Executive chef Carl Cleghorn’s refined dishes perfectly complement this grand setting. Using the finest locally sourced and castle-grown produce, he crafts classic European dishes executed to the highest standards. Whether you plump for the à la carte or tasting menu, dinner starts with drinks beside a roaring fire in the lavish drawing room and the evening is punctuated with little surprises such as canapés and amuse bouche.

Boringdon Hall Hotel, Plymouth

Grade II-listed Boringdon Hall Hotel is steeped in history, thanks to its inclusion in the Domesday Book and dramatic Elizabethan architecture. And, from the moment you pass over the threshold, stone archways and grand wooden doors will whisk you away into its magnificent past.

The grand country house hotel is also the home of contemporary dining. Its restaurant Àclèaf is an intimate and romantic setting in which to sample seasonal four-course menus or tasting experiences from talented head chef Scott Paton.

‘Dining at Àclèaf is interactive — a four-course menu with twists and turns along the way,’ says Scott. The focus is fully on ingredients and the chef expends serious energy sourcing the best produce to create his completely novel dining experience. Scott’s eye for exquisite design-driven plating and nose for palate-pleasing pairings are complemented by an English-led wine flight.

Bovey Castle, Dartmoor

From the sweeping driveway leading to the neo-Elizabethan manor house to the warm welcome from the porter, a visit to Bovey Castle always starts in style.

The impressive venue is set within 275 acres of lush countryside on the edge of Dartmoor, and guests can indulge in an array of traditional English country pursuits, from clay pigeon shooting and off-road driving experiences to fly fishing and falconry. There’s also an 18-hole championship golf course for those wishing to tee off.

After an action-packed day of activities or a more leisurely stint of pampering in the Elan Spa, guests can choose to dine in one of two restaurants. Smith’s Brasserie offers Mediterranean-inspired pizza, pasta and small plates in a relaxed and informal setting, while the three-AA-rosette Great Western Grill creates more traditional experiences. The latter has enjoyed a major refurb and now includes a Champagne and Oyster Bar.

Head chef Mark Budd puts a modern spin on classic dishes such as red-wine braised oxtail cottage pie with horseradish mash, and poached native lobster and truffle macaroni cheese with confit tomato. Both restaurants make the most of the estate’s abundant produce, including seasonal vegetables and locally reared beef and game.