The Corner House, Canterbury, Kent

Set on Canterbury's busy ring road, facing the city's eastern walls, the Corner House's location might not win big first impression points but you forget the road once you're ensconced in the cosy restaurant, and it's just a five-minute walk from Canterbury Cathedral and the city centre. Simply step across the road, and you're in the heart of the compact city of Canterbury. Don't miss the Pound Bar & Kitchen - the 17th-century gaol and police station is now a lively spot for cocktails.

By car: Canterbury is 1 hour 30 minutes from London, 1 hour 45 minutes from Brighton and 30 minutes from Dover. Guests will need to purchase a parking ticket from the hotel to park nearby.

By train: Canterbury East is a seven-minute walk from the hotel and is serviced by Southeastern trains from Dover Priory and London Victoria. Canterbury West is a 15-minute walk or eight-minute drive from the hotel. Southeastern services run from Ramsgate, Margate and London (Victoria, Bridge, St Pancras). Book trains to Canterbury.

The Corner House, originally the Three Musketeers, dates to 1574 and has served Kentish ales to passing travellers and locals including Charles Dickens since 1682. The building's heritage is celebrated, with the original ceiling beams and some wood-panelled and brick walls exposed in all their ancient glory. Grey-painted timber frame walls and industrial lamps keep the pared-back interiors on trend.

Manager Alex oversees a young, passionate and attentive team who are professional and eager to please without being cloying. The attractive walled garden is a tranquil oasis in summer. Parking, a nightmare in Canterbury, is easy with a public car park behind the property and 24-hour vouchers (£6) at reception.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Breakfast in bed
• Garden

The four bedrooms combine wonky floors, duck-your-head beamed ceilings and fireplaces with slick modern bathrooms. Dickens boasts a large bay window overlooking the city walls and ring road (earplugs are provided); Tourtel offers a slightly larger bathroom; Chaucer can be an ensuite or suite, and the Attic Room claims the best bathroom.

Room types: Dickens, Tourtel, Attic, Chaucer, Becket

Key amenities: ensuite with shower, tea and coffee-making facilities, dressing table, TV, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, free Wi-Fi

Sworder's passion for cooking and Kentish produce is backed up with Michelin-star training, several Kent Restaurant of the Year awards and thoughtful local wine and ale pairings for his dishes. He loves a sharing board - arrive hungry and bookend a main course of herb crumbed cod loin or Stour Valley venison suet pudding with an array of starters and puddings.

The Corner House: seasonal menus, Kent produce, British and European inspired dishes. Sunday roasts. Open for dinner, Mon-Sat 5.30-9pm. Saturday lunch 12-2.30pm, Sunday lunch 12-4pm. Mains from £15.