Jackson Stops Inn

Discerning travellers on the A1 looking for a change should leave the main road at Stretton and make the shortest of detours into the village, keeping an eye open for the delightfully named Rookery Lane, where nestles a country inn that is undoubtedly different. Inside you will generally find a mixed assembly of locals, with others drawn from a wider spread. In an area where good eating out - and in for that matter - is becoming axiomatic, Jackson Stops is a connoisseur's item. The décor is simple, whitewashed walls with the stone still evident, a mixed collection of pine tables and chairs and, when the weather demands, a decent open fire.

The reasonably brief menu is one of those that leaves you utterly spoiled for choice. For starters expect salmon and roasted beetroot, or Parma ham and sweet figs. Main courses tend towards the classic dishes and could include braised oxtail in satisfyingly rich gravy, served with mash and carrots or smoked haddock with sauté potatoes, topped off with a poached egg giving you a sly wink from the top of the fish. If anything is designed to Stop Jackson it is likely to be the indulgence lavished on the desserts. Think roasted peaches with mascarpone and honeycomb, or a creamy panacotta and raspberry sauce, or cold, sweet white chocolate ice cream in its own right.

Jackson Stops is a place for all occasions but we go there when we have gone down the list, failed to touch base and suddenly realise that we are looking for that something different from the rest, where service is discreet and accomplished, the ambience is totally relaxed and - an added bonus - the value is incredibly good.