Step in to the Whitehall Hotel and you will soon be enveloped by the warmth of this superbly restored Elizabethan manor house in the village of Dunmow. The bedrooms are done up using relaxing tones and the views over the gardens, lawns and the village church are splendid.

The kitchen at Whitehall Restaurant, designed by Gary Rhodes maintains as high standards as the man himself, owing loyalty to the seasons and fresh ingredients. What better way to enjoy Sunday lunch with the family than to sit in a 15th century timbered dining area overlooking the garden and terrace. The first sign of summer is when you're sipping steaming hot cups of tea on the terrace with the surrounding topiary for company, slowly allowing time to slip by.

The Whitehall's ideal location also means you could embark on a trip to Mountfitchet Castle and Epping Forest nearby.