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Milebrook House, located in the stunningly beautiful countryside of the Welsh Marches, has a well-earned reputation as a family-run hotel, with an informal atmosphere, excellent food and comfortable surroundings.

The kitchen is run by Christopher Marsden, while their modern British, 2 AA Rosette menu is full of lovely local and home grown ingredients. Many of the vegetables come from their own garden. The meats used are of high quality, and mainly locally sourced. Not only is the food presented to a high standard, the whole ambience of the dining room and associated public rooms speaks of style and good taste.

The three course dinner menu checks in at £31.95, with set price lunches starting at £12.95 for two courses. A thoughtful wine list completes the pleasure with house wine at £13.25.

There is little doubt that where these family run hotels can be found they generally represent good value for money, offering quality food without the daunting atmosphere sometimes associated with larger grander hotels.

The Waterdine is a pretty white timber-fronted country pub, on the Shropshire-Welsh border. Vegetables often come from the Waterdine's own garden, and any other ingredients are locally sourced.

Diners may start with breast of squab pigeon on parsley risotto with sweet and sour beetroot sauce; terrine of Gloucester Old Spot pork with black fig and raspberry chutney; wild mushrooms and baby vegetable ragoüt; or fillet of dover sole stuffed with lightly wood smoked salmon on crayfish sauce.

Main courses include roast fillet turbot on leek confit with griolle mushrooms; rack of Shropshire lamb with couscous and provençal vegetables; tenderloin of Berkshire pork wrapped in Parma ham roasted on sage, with mustard mash braised carrots sliced beans and black pudding sauce; fillet of local beef pan fried in butter on potato rosti and spinach with Dijon mustard sauce.

Desserts are worth keeping a crevice for: chocolate mousse with raspberries and shortbreads; trio of black cherry puddings; crisp lemon curd tart; or iced apricot parfait.

There is also an impressive lunch menu. You may be grateful to know that rooms are also available.