The Kings Arms

For a slice of what they call 'Surrey chic', the rather lovely Kings Arms in Egham makes for a terrific weekend away in the well-heeled countryside near the grounds and meadows of historic Runnymede. The pub is a beauty, with a rich, designer interior that's more like a Victorian gentleman's club than an old boozer, and upstairs there are half a dozen elegantly turned out rooms in much the same vein.

Named after the barons who forced King John to sign Magna Carta, these are pretty sumptuous quarters all round – striking colour tones and coordinated artwork, wood panelling, big beds, padded headboards and excellent sofas. There are solid desks you can work at, if you're here on business, and luxury perks include things like Roberts radios and Nespresso machines in each room. Bathrooms, meanwhile, are en-suite wet rooms with walk-in showers – very stylish – though the larger rooms also have free-standing copper baths, for a bit more of a baronial treat. All in all, these are restful, soothing rooms of the sort you're keen to scamper up to after a decent dinner.

They have that sorted too, by the way. If it's boutique upstairs, it's very definitely gastro downstairs in the bar and restaurant, with inviting tables laid in that very clubbable interior. It's a very modern British take on a bistro menu, with dishes from a nduja scotch egg starter to an organic chicken Milanese with linguine, while a fancy grill turns out things like Wagyu burgers or a whole sole cooked on the bone. There's an even wider choice on certain days, while Saturday brunch and Sunday lunch bring their own delights. Plenty of veggie and vegan options too, which doubtless will have the roast-beef-fed barons rolling in the graves. The pub itself is dog-friendly, by the way, so your stroll and lunch is no problem, but the rooms aren't. And as it's a Surrey destination dining place, it's best to book to eat, though they do usually have some tables available for walk-ins.