It is such a pleasure to visit a centuries old English country pub and spend a couple of satisfying hours over real ale and delicious homemade fare. You could do exactly that and much more at the quintessential Old Swan in Cheddington, Bedfordshire.

Close to Leighton Buzzard yet bordering Bucks, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, the pub has a lovely garden where, in good weather, you can enjoy al fresco meals. The cosy bar and restaurant have beamed walls, wooden furniture and floors, and an ever present old world charm.

The bar offers traditional bar meals and you could choose between Texas chilli beef, beer battered cod, homemade lasagne and oven-roasted duck breast and bacon. The restaurant focuses on starters such as cheese nachos, poached smoked haddock and a classic prawn cocktail. Mains take in Pembrokeshire lamb hot pot; steak, mushroom and ale pie, and French style tomato tarts with caramelised vegetables. Desserts change daily and are listed on the blackboard.