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Deep in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside, The Bell is an outstanding 17th century inn complete with exposed beams, flagstone floors, oak furniture, open fireplaces and a warm welcome. The refuge has been providing refreshment for over 300 years, and according to local history, William Shakespeare was on his way back to Stratford in the rain after meeting Drayton and Ben Johnson for a drink at The Bell in Welford when he contracted fatal pneumonia.

The chefs use locally sourced produce to create a menu that combines pub food with more innovative cuisine, ensuring both regular and first time visitors enjoy a wide choice of tasty food. Choices could range from Scottish salmon salad and homemade lasagne to Thai green monkfish curry and smoked chicken rémoulade. There are at least three vegetarian and one vegan main course on the menu.

Wines and real ales complement the food.

The Bell Inn is voted the Warwickshire Dining Pub of the Year 2009 by readers of The Good Pub Guide.

Down by the river, in a romantic and appropriately thespian setting, is the Thai Boathouse serving authentic cuisine at very reasonable prices, perhaps a welcome change from the more customary fare on offer and ideal for a gentle supper après la guerre.

A riverside location and beautiful views across the Avon are a few things one could expect from Shakespeare country, but a drink at The Bear Free House may strike beer lovers as an interesting option. Perhaps this is because the interior is just as warm and welcoming as the hotel in which it is located, with wood panelling, two central fires and a stunning pewter bar top.

The food is a happy prospect as well, which could range from a salad of quails egg, bacon lardons, Stornoway black pudding and baby chorizos, to Scottish prime beef gourmet burger. The Bear takes a culinary road less travelled by gastropubs, one that veers in the Eastern direction where it's comforting to find dishes like the hot and spicy Goan chicken curry, and yes, British staples like ploughman's and fish and chips also feature prominently.

Real ales at The Bear certainly win the day, from Butty Bach to Kingmaker, in addition to a great selection of regularly changing guest ales.

Around 450 years ago William Shakespeare presented the first performance of his new play, Midsummer Night's Dream, at Alveston Manor. Nowadays the Manor is more geared to providing good food for earnest attenders at conferences and The Manor Grill offers a wide-ranging cuisine to appeal to most tastes. In the balmy days of summer one can enjoy more informal meals on the terraces and before the play, for which the Manor is conveniently located.

Il Moro is a family run Sardinian restaurant offering pizza, pasta and traditional dishes, in a small cosy building tucked away from the main tourist route. Guests will be welcomed by the relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and get to unwind amidst family portraits, artifacts and home made pictures. Sardinian cuisine has unique Mediterranean flavours, a large part of which is owed to the layered culinary heritage of the island. All the food is prepared fresh and offers a delightful dining experience.

Start with soup of the day and garlic tiger prawns served with a spicy tomato sauce, and garlic pizza bread. For main course consider roasted grey mullet to share or roasted pork served with pesto and fennel. End this divine meal with tiramisu, light sponge soaked in coffee and amaretto liquor layered with mascarpone and zabaglione cream and cocoa powder, and fresh strawberries served with ice cream.

One of two places in the area, the other is Embargo actually in Stratford, both owned by an enterprising lady called Sue Gray. The Fox and Goose is in Armscote, a pretty village of a style typical in Warwickshire, and consists of one third bar - but a proper one with roaring log fires in the winter, and newspapers to read while eating you snacks and drinks - and two thirds restaurant. Many customers comment on the service, which is not of the normal bang it down and walk away variety so prevalent in gastropubs, instead it is friendly, helpful but not over-familiar, and they seemed really concerned that you get exactly what you want. The menu is chalked up on a blackboard, and you order at the bar.

Dishes could include: pumpkin and chilli soup; ballotine of rabbit and chicken or goat's cheese stack with aubergine and tomato to start. Mains could include their famous steak and ale pie or pork and chive sausage with mustard mash and excellent gravy, as well as more sophisticated offerings. Great roasts on a Sunday, normally lamb and beef, with wonderful crispy roast potatoes.