Visitors flock to the National Trust village of Lacock for its cobbled streets and stone cottages, which have graced the screens of many a costume drama – including Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice. But in-the-know gastronomes make a beeline for the Sign of the Angel (Lacock’s only two-AA-rosette restaurant), a 15th-century coaching inn that oozes olde-worlde charm and serves modern British cooking.

At the Sign of the Angel in Lacock, sustainable local produce forms the bedrock of dishes such as Wiltshire pork belly and green peppercorn terrine with homemade apple chutney made with apples from the garden. Or plump for fresh Brixham mackerel with mussel veloute, cucumber mayonnaise, pickles and treacle soda bread. Well-executed classics take the form of battered Cornish fish and triple-cooked chips, and a comforting lamb-shoulder shepherd’s pie.

Stop by during the day to take advantage of the three tapas-style dishes served with olives and bread, or make a night of it and book one of the five homely rooms – each with original period features – for a quintessentially English country-inn experience.

Trencherman’s tip

The relaxing pub is a charmingly romantic spot all year. In summer, while away the hours in the suntrap garden as you devour small plates or a cream tea. Winter provides the opportunity to cosy up by the wood burners and dine by candlelight.