The White Hart in Welwyn

Located in the pleasant village of Welwyn (not Welwyn Garden City, since you ask), this 17th-century coaching inn is a delightful and thriving village local with cosy rooms and excellent food. By by car at least, it's also extremely easy to get to – situated just 5 minutes from the A1.

There are 13 rooms in all, 9 in the main building and 4 more in a converted stable block across the car park. Of those above the pub, the 3 so-called ‘boutique’ rooms are best, with larger TVs and big bathrooms with walk-in showers and spa baths. But the others, including the outside ones, are nicely decorated and all the rooms have TVs, tea-and-coffee-making facilities, water and wifi – and a couple of rooms have four-poster beds if that’s your kind of thing.

The food is really good, similarly to the high-class gastropub fare served at the White Hart's sister establishment, the Tilbury in nearby Datchworth – well sourced, cooked and presented, and taking in lots of in pub staples along with more inventive dishes, served either in the front bar or the slightly more formal restaurant at the back.