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Whether you're in Hereford to explore the world famous Mappa Mundi and Chain Library or the unspoilt Herefordshire and Wye Valley countryside, Castle House provides the perfect base to travel around the beautiful area. The boutique town house hotel is tucked away in a tranquil corner of the city and many guests visit the place just to enjoy a relaxed stay in one of the sixteen suites or bedrooms.

The hotel is still privately-owned by local farmer David Watkins whose produce features on the three AA rosette restaurant menu. Claire Nicholls, Castle House's Head Chef offers seasonal dishes that are created using ingredients from local farmers and artisan producers from the Herefordshire Marches.

At dinnertime, trust a tian of crab with fried quail egg, caviar and paprika aioli to provide a firm foundation for a main course of fillet of Herefordshire beef in the company of mushroom and pancetta sausage, carrot fondant and asparagus. Not many will pass up the tempting desserts such as a pistachio and hazelnut parfait with dark chocolate brownie and candied orange salad.

Café at All Saints is a haven of 'gloriously nourishing' food in a uniquely re-ordered medieval church in the heart of Hereford. The café was born in 1997 when the then priest-in-charge, Rev. Andrew Mottram came up with the plan of running a café in the working church after being charged with rescuing the crumbling building from destruction.

More than a decade later, the café is a popular destination to enjoy fresh, simple, homemade food at reasonable prices. A sister restaurant of The Café Below in London's Cheapside, Cafe at All Saints is owned by Bill Sewell and offers a tempting breakfast and daily-changing lunch menu.

Choices could include poached salmon with sorrel hollandaise, new potatoes and dressed leaves, a Catalan casserole thickened with an almond and garlic piccada and served with basmati rice, and a sweet potato, fennel, and Caerphilly pie. Illy coffee and homemade cakes, tarts and sandwiches complete the picture.

Far from destruction, regular services of worship are held at All Saints and over three thousand people visit it every week.

The picturesque Hertfordshire town of Ross-on-Wye is a serious draw in itself, nestling along the River Wye, it's an ideal pit-stop to explore the surrounding Forest of Dean, Malvern Hills and Cotswolds. The Kings Head has all that one expects from a 14th century hotels - fireplaces, oak beams and those usual ghostly apparitions amusing guests at times.

The kitchen follows the 'fresh from the farm' slogan with starters of Lay and Robson's smoked salmon with dill and crème fraîche relish, and wild mushrooms with parsley, garlic and cream on toasted brioche. Changing black board specials are judiciously added and could feature a free range saddle of venison, Madgetts Farm duck breast and fillet of sea bass with a pesto butter sauce.

The delightfully cosy restaurant area is replete with wooden furnishings and artwork, and there is also conservatory seating at the rear.

Tucked away on the Homend and a short walk from Ledbury's grand old Market House is The Seven Stars, originally built in the 16th century and reputedly the oldest inn in town. After a serious fire largely destroyed it in 2001, the Grade II listed coaching inn was painstakingly brought back to its original glory and once again offers guests a true taste of English hospitality.

The interior that has been updated to make diners feel comfortable still exudes an unmistakable traditional charm that helps it hold hands with the building's half-timbered cream exterior and red-tiled roof.

Owners Paul and Nikki Baker offer simple, homemade British dishes that are created from prime local produce and rare-breed meats. Both locals and visitors enjoy the food and relax over a range of beers, cider, wines and spirits.

Three oak beamed ensuite bedrooms at The Seven Stars, which include a double and two family rooms, offer guests a chance to stay a night or two in Ledbury.

Ledbury's High Street is dominated by a beautiful black and white building, which has been a popular place for weary travellers to relax since Elizabethan times. Even though it offers many modern facilities to unwind in comfort, much of the original character of the building is retained in the bedrooms with the beamed walls and ceilings and antique furniture.

The recently refurbished Quills Restaurant, one of the three dining destinations at The Feathers Hotel, offers diners a chance to enjoy views of the bustling market town while sampling traditional British dishes in a friendly and relaxed environment.

Trust a warm salad of black pudding and caramelised apples with sage and Stowford cream to set the stage for a main course of Scottish Highland venison medallions, Bramley apple bubble and squeak, oven roasted parsnips and Madeira or a fantastic lemon infused organic Shetland salmon fillet.

The Top Bar and Lounge offers a great setting to relax over wines, ales, and award winning local ciders.