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It would be churlish indeed to omit mentioning what many mistakenly assume to be the home of the famous cheese of that name, nor is there the slightest intention to do so.

The famed cheese was in fact first produced by the Housekeeper at Quenby Hall, one Mrs Beaumont, not far from Leicester. It became associated with Stilton largely because this was the most convenient staging post for sending copious quantities of the stuff to London.

Dick Turpin is alleged to have had a hideaway at The Bell. Turpin would undoubtedly have approved of the dining arrangements which blend traditional and modern into an attractive menu that must have tickled the palate of many a weary traveller.

A parfait of chicken livers could precede an excellent braised blade of beef with creamed celeriac and roasted shallots, followed by some Long Clawston Stilton with home-baked plum bread. House wine is from £11.95 and a supple list offers choices from most continents.

Acquired in 2001 by Liz and Stuart Trangmar, The White Pheasant located in Market Street, Fordham near Ely, has a single-minded focus on providing simple and honest full-flavoured food in a friendly, unpretentious atmosphere. Only the best of seasonal, local produce is used in the kitchen and depending on the season, you may sample beef or rare breed of lamb from Fordham, pheasant and partridge from Exning and rhubarb from the garden. The ambience is pleasant, the service is prompt and the experience relaxing.

Sample terrine of locally shot game, wild Saffron Walden venison, buttered chilli spinach, roast fillet of wild Scottish cod, venison meatballs in tomato sauce and caramelized onion and butternut squash tartlet. There's also a hog roast and Sunday lunch menu available and an interesting and sensibly priced wine list has been thoughtfully put together to complement the meal. For dessert, go for hot chocolate fondant and pistachio ice-cream with a glass of Scirafi. The White Pheasant excels in authentic, lip-smacking food and no-fuss, friendly dining atmosphere.

Should you need a break from the academic purlieus of Cambridge head down the M11 a short distance to this haven of relative normality where Churchill, Bader and Crosby sometimes took refuge during WW2. Surrounded by mature grounds, Le Paradis is the hub of the place.

The menu is a clever blending of English and French cuisines with quality and freshness of ingredients as its base. Starters usually run to about seven and could include home cured salmon in saffron and champagne with beetroot dressing and baby spinach salad, or pan fried quail and sweetbreads with pink grapefruit, infused chanterelles and sesame oil.

Funny how the starters almost invariably give the clue to the main courses and Le Paradis is no exception, headed by roasted loin of Limousin veal in rosemary, with white pudding sausage, apple rosti potato and roasted garlic sauce in the lead. The sauté turbot is served with squid tempura, shimeji, creamed potatoes and pancetta beignets, a really luxurious dish with great flavours.

The baked chocolate and cherry fondant with fig ice cream is yet another infusion of flavours that hits the mark for most, whilst others may be intrigued by a honey and mixed bell pepper mousse with thyme syrup.

Named after a rare butterfly, the Chequered Skipper is a picturesque country pub located in Ashton, Northamptonshire. Every cottage here is built of limestone and has a thatched roof, a throwback to the era when the Rothschilds set up the village. The pub serves marvellous food in picture perfect surroundings, and during the World Conker Championships, for which Ashley is the annual venue they are avid suppliers of food and drink to participants and onlookers.

Fresh, seasonal country food rules, and you could start with butterfly sardines, Catalan toast and salsa verde. The pan fried Barnsley lamb chop, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, garlic and rosemary potatoes and fresh mint pesto makes a fine main course and the delicious homemade desserts provide a fitting finale. Enjoy any of the beers, real ales and ciders or wines in the contemporary bar, or maybe outside in the village green where picnic sets are arranged for those who want to dine in the midst of nature.

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