Medlar Tree Restaurant, The

Country house hotels when they are good are often very good. Widbrook Grange, a 250 year old Georgian example of the genre, is convenient for Bath, comfortably located in its own 11 acres on the outskirts of  Bradford-upon-Avon.

Within easy striking distance there are many of the facilities that people on tour are pleased to find, including a decent restaurant called The Medlar Tree (you'll find the real tree in the garden) that is open to all.

The menu is extensive but convincing and changes with the seasons. For starters think in terms of gently poached rock oysters served with a strawberry Hollandaise sauce, or a warm salad of Widbrook Grange oak smoked duck on a sweet corn pancake with a balsamic vinegar glaze.

Main courses normally number about five and could include seared sea trout on Bromham asparagus and crushed Jersey Royals with a lemon balm butter, or fillet of Lackham beef, fondant potato and locally picked wild mushroom with a pink peppercorn dressing.

Country house desserts often seem to have that special something, witness summer fruit pavlova with clotted Devon cream, or homemade ice cream and sorbet in a honey tuille basket. An interesting wine list carries a number of half bottles and by the glass.