Tarr Farm Inn, Exmoor, Somerset

The inn sits directly above the rushing waters of the River Barle at Tarr Steps, an ancient clapper bridge built with large slabs of stone. It is at the bottom of a deep valley, with the Exmoor Pony Centre close by and the market town of Dulverton a 15-minute drive away. The best walks include an easy loop through woods along the river and back. Alternatively, you can take a higher path to Dulverton.

By car: around 2 hours from Bristol, 4 hours 30 minutes from Manchester or London. There is free parking on-site.

This inn has a beer garden above the river; it's long and thin with seating in wooden stalls and stone walls. The cosy, excellent restaurant lies adjacent to the bar, and the hotel's rooms are in a separate building next door, accessed by external doors. Rooms are contemporary in style but very comfortable.

The hotel is run by a friendly and laid-back team, while the leaseholder is experienced and dedicated. Guests are very well taken care of. They can eat an informal lunch in the bar or enjoy afternoon tea or a more formal dinner. There is private parking a little further up the lane.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Pet-friendly
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms are plainly decorated but have everything you might need, with a mini-bar, dressing table, tea and coffee facilities and a DVD player, plus a pull-out desk. Large, tiled bathrooms have large showers and are filled with amenity kits and organic toiletries.

Room types: 1-9

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with organic toilteries, Egyptian cotton sheets, TV, DVD player, tea and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi

For such a remote inn, the restaurant offers surprisingly accomplished, memorable food with a good selection of specials that change daily, allowing for dining on concurrent nights. The cooking pays heed to the seasons and uses high-quality local produce, while the wine list is strong. Breakfast is enjoyable with a great mix of hot options that include haddock and kippers.

Restaurant: relaxed atmosphere, refined pub food, classic flavours with a modern twist, local produce. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner mains from £15.