There is literally nothing better to do with that extra day.
1.
The Old Mill, Knitsley, Co Durham.
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knitsleymill.com
knitsleymill.com A beautiful treasure tucked away in 100 acres of beautiful County Durham countryside between Consett and Lanchester. There’s a light and airy conservatory restaurant with gorgeous views of the countryside and wildlife, and a neighbouring bar with log beams and a roaring fire.
2.
The Old Granary, Wareham, Dorset.
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theoldgranarywareham.co.uk
theoldgranarywareham.co.uk Situated right on the river Frome with uninterrupted views of the Purbeck Hills, The Old Granary is the perfect place to start exploring the stunning Dorset town of Wareham, the Isle of Purbeck and Corfe Castle.
3.
Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, Cumbria.
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This has everything – cinema, theatre, comedy, dance – and a truly cracking terrace.
4.
The Milk House, Sissinghurst, Kent.
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A great combination of village pub and fine dining. If it’s cold there’s a crackling fire and if it’s sunny there’s a splendid terrace. The food’s stunning: even the grazing menu is a different class.
5.
The Bell, Chearsley, Buckinghamshire.
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thebellchearsley.co.uk
thebellchearsley.co.uk There are hundreds of great pubs in this neck of the woods but this is one of the best. Home cooked food, Fuller’s ales and a cracking little beer garden out the back.
6.
Goffs Manor, Crawley, West Sussex.
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This one’s great for families – it’s next to the 50 acre Goffs Park (awarded the green flag for quality in 2008) with lakes, woodland walks, children’s play area and a model railway. It also sells the king of all ales: Badger.
7.
The Old Windmill, West Hanningfield, Essex.
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brunningandprice.co.uk
brunningandprice.co.uk
brunningandprice.co.uk This place has been serving up food and ale to locals since at least 1799. It was refurbished a few years ago, and it’s full of wood fires, flagstone floors and oak beams: it’s a classic English country pub, with the bar at the heart of the building.
8.
Hark To Bounty, Forest of Bowland, Lancashire.
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This one’s got the lot – lovely food, a splendid wine list, and you’ll do well to find a more scenic spot, as it’s right in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with heather moorland and riverside pastures all around.
9.
The Angel Inn, Addington Green, Kent.
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This is a really old building – it dates from 1378 in fact. But inside there’s a modern and welcoming pub serving fresh food, and live music at the weekends.
10.
The Duke of Cambridge, Tilford, Surrey.
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Set among the huge pine trees of Tilford, this place really comes into its own in Summer once the grill gets fired up. Later this month it’ll be hosting a bank holiday music festival to raise money for disabled children too.
11.
The Cholmondeley Arms, Chomondley, Cheshire.
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cholmondeleyarms.co.uk
cholmondeleyarms.co.uk
cholmondeleyarms.co.uk Deep in beautiful Cheshire countryside adjacent to Cholmondeley Castle, the Cholmondeley Arms sits inside a former Victorian village schoolhouse on Lord Cholmondeley’s estate. It has many things to recommend it, but above all it’s Asparagus Week this month!
12.
The Coach and Horses, Alvechurch, Worcestershire.
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coachandhorsesinn.co.uk
coachandhorsesinn.co.uk
coachandhorsesinn.co.uk Only a few miles out of Birmingham, this is a bit of a beer drinker’s paradise. Head here and try their very own Weatheroak Hill brewery ales: Dark Horse, Indian Summer, Best, IPA, Gold and King of the Hill. They run beer festivals and – here it comes – have HOG ROASTS.
13.
The Alford Arms, Frithsden, Hertfordshire.
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Although it’s a little gem nestling in the countryside, this place is really all about the food. And what food. As the owners say on their site: “Find The Alford Arms and you’ll never utter the term ‘gastro-pub’ ever again.” Just LOOK at that menu.
14.
The Chequers, Doddington, Kent.
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The best thing about this place – quite apart from the sausages and mash and the Sunday roasts – is the fact it apparently has two ghosts: a Cavalier from the English Civil War and, if you listen carefully, a ghoul with a passion for the piano.
15.
The Plume of Feathers, Welwyn, Herts.
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You can’t go wrong with an Old English Inn . This one’s got flagstone floors, wooden beams, roaring fires in winter and glorious garden views: what else do you need?