The Riverside at Aymestrey

If foodie gems miles from anywhere are your thing, do not miss this one. The Riverside, a former coaching inn, sits surrounded by countryside beside the 1931 bridge over the River Lugg in the village of Aymestrey, 8 miles from Leominster. The gourmand bit comes from Chef Patron Andrew Link, whose food is simply superb. He’s into foraging so expect extraordinary flavours such as wild garlic, as well as ultra-fresh herbs and veggies from the kitchen garden. Delights include battered Herefordshire snails, braised pheasant stew, truffle chips, blue cheese ice cream. To cap it all, the bar offers hand-pulled real ales and ciders and a brilliant wine list. The warm, cosy bar and restaurant has low ceilings, dark beams dressed with garlands of hops, wood floors and country, and the inn has 6 upscale rooms, including 2 spacious suites in an annexe. They all have comfy beds, high-end bathrooms with Nobel Isle toiletries, wifi, flatscreen TVs and minibars, tea and coffee and homemade biscuits –  and pets can stay overnight too in a couple of rooms (there’s a special table downstairs with mat and dog bowl of water for 4-legged patrons).