Built in 1887, the 4 star Rhinefield House situated amongst the tall conifers and pines of the New Forest National Park is a beautiful blend of Tudor and Gothic style architecture. The in-house Armada Restaurant's palpable sense of grandeur is manifest in the magnificent oak carving of the Armada set near the fireplace, which took nine years to complete, and the ornate chandeliers and pillars.

An innovative outlook to British cuisine brings in starters ranging from tempura of monkfish with braised pak choi and Oriental broth and carpaccio of Scotch beef with rocket and aioli. Mains take in the breast of corn fed chicken with wild mushroom and tarragon risotto and parmesan sauce, and New Forest saddle of venison accompanied by smoked ox tongue, celeriac puree, cabbage faggot and quince syrup. Here's one for the lover of puddings; there's vanilla rice, tapioca, sticky toffee and crème brûlée in the dessert list.