Hand at Llanarmon, The

The Hand nestles in the stunning countryside of the Upper Ceiriog Valley, less than an hour's drive from Chester and Shrewsbury. It's a classic British Inn, with a place for everyone in either its oak-beamed bar or its unique dining room, a centuries old barn. In cooler weather log fires blaze in all the public rooms, with a wood-burning stove in the dining room, and in summer the terrace garden comes into its own, catching the sun all day and with views of the surrounding hills.

They serve the same menu throughout, ranging from typical pub meals such as gammon, free-range eggs and homemade chips, through to Welsh saltmarsh lamb (in season). They have a excellent fresh fish supplier, and there is always at least one vegetarian choice available. Everything on the menu is freshly prepared in their kitchen, as far as possible from local produce.

Throughout the week, they offer a daily changing a la carte menu, with a set menu on Sundays. If you're too full to drive home, you can book into one of their thirteen en-suite rooms and make a night of it - breakfast is a delight, with free-range eggs, dry-cured bacon, award-winning sausages and so forth.