Essex is certainly well gifted with charming country inns that dot this county, in addition to many scenic villages, and there's plenty of excitement in the culinary landscape as well. At places like The Leather Bottle Restaurant benefit is gained from the location in the pretty village of Blackmore, and the setting inside includes a roomy conservatory leading out to a sheltered garden.

Begin you meal here in a rustic manner with starters of pan-fried chicken livers with bacon, garlic and parsley drizzled with balsamic syrup, and Cumberland sausages on creamy mashed potatoes, red wine jus and onion chutney following in quick succession.

The time-honoured Sunday lunch tradition is one to look forward to at The Leather Bottle, with choices like smoked salmon gravadlax, roast chicken stuffed with basil and Parmesan, and sticky toffee pudding with hot fudge sauce and vanilla ice cream.