The Talbot Inn

A highly photogenic building set around a sunny cobbled courtyard, this venerable coaching inn retains over 500 years of history. Owners Charlie, Matt and Dan took charge of the property in 2013 and have since created a haven of style and comfort, with in-room facilities to rival the very best boutique hotels. There are 8 differently-sized and configured rooms – all but one of which are located above the pub – the largest boasting a magnificent four-poster Emperor bed alongside a freestanding tub (it is literally in the room) and a separate sitting area. All rooms, though, come with thoughtful extra flourishes, like hot water bottles, an array of magazines and pure wool Welsh blankets. Some rooms offer views over the walled garden opposite.

Enticing guests downstairs is a sequence of four separate areas: dining room, sitting room, snug and bar, the latter with an inglenook fireplace to warm your bones. The tythe barn across the yard offers further possibilities, perhaps a game of scrabble, some reading, or just a space to chill. Sunday night film screenings, meanwhile, offer the perfect excuse to extend that weekend stay. A gut-busting breakfast will set you up nicely for a day’s exploration of this historic village – Edwin Lutyens’ distinguished hand is everywhere, including in the neighbouring church whose cemetery is quite the roll call of illustrious dead folk, and the aforementioned walled garden is a delight – or you could head slightly further afield, perhaps to Bath or the small town charms of Bruton and Frome.