Fawsley Hall is an impressive country house hotel that has swept numerous awards for its various virtues and is located near Daventry in Northamptonshire. For some, the Grayshott Spa might be reason enough to visit, although others will find that the lure of the beautiful surroundings of the East Midlands is hard to resist. Rooms are traditional but comfortable in every sense and a visit to this 15th century hotel brings even more pleasures for those who are gastronomically inclined.

Equilibrium, their sophisticated restaurant, is headed by Chef Nigel Godwin and the cuisine is modern European. The imaginative menu includes such signature dishes amongst the starters as roast pigeon and its own tea, parfait and pickled pear with celeriac remoulade and hazelnuts. More elaborate dishes down the line could be pan fried monkfish and frogs legs, Alsace jelly, truffle, artichoke risotto and lemon while desserts include an interesting apple and fennel parfait with raw fennel, ice cream and puree.