The Packhorse Inn, Moulton, Suffolk

There's not all that much to the quiet Suffolk village of Moulton, but it is very easy to get to - just off the A12 - and the hotel's position opposite the village green is an undeniably picturesque one. You'll need a car but you're just outside Newmarket, a short drive from Bury St Edmunds and the historic wool towns of the southern part of the county. Just three miles from Newmarket so perfectly poised for discovering the numerous delights of the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and watching the jockeys going through their early-morning paces.

By car: The Packhorse is 1 hour 45 mins from London, 40 mins from Cambridge and 2 hours 15 mins from Nottingham. There is free parking available to guests.

By train: Kennett station is two miles away from the hotel, which can arrange a taxi to pick you up. Trains run from Cambridge (30 minutes) and Ipswich (45 minutes). Trains from London Kings Cross to Cambridge take around 50 minutes. Book trains to Kennett.

The Packhorse is not so much a pub as a slick restaurant with rooms, with three dining rooms arranged around a central bar. It's decorated in a contemporary style with bare tables of all shapes and sizes, and with public areas and rooms adorned with reference to the bloodstock traditions of nearby Newmarket.

There's a confidence in The Packhorse's offering that is reflected in the natural, friendly service you receive throughout. Life revolves around the bar and restaurant, but there's a small outside garden and plenty of parking, and they also offer special lunches for race days and shooting parties.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Garden
• Dog-friendly
• Families welcome
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The Packhorse has just eight rooms - four 'Premium' rooms in the main building and a further four in the Coach House across the courtyard. The ones above the pub are slightly larger and more elegantly furnished, with super-king-size beds, freestanding baths and walk-in showers; the others just have showers and smaller beds but are also very comfortable.

Room types: Folly, Plantation, Primrose, Warren, Kennett, Lark, Ouse, Stour

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with shower, antique furniture, TV, free Wi-Fi

Food is the thing at the Packhorse, with regularly changing, shortish menus that feature classic dishes like fish and chips, burgers and steaks alongside more refined fare. It's deliberately local, seasonal, moderately priced and justifiably popular, and you also get to wake up to an excellent breakfast.

The Packhorse Inn: modern European cuisine, Suffolk produce, fine wines, gins and cocktails. Mon-Sat, lunch 12-2.30pm and dinner 6.30-8.30pm. Sunday lunch 12-3pm, dinner 6-8pm. Mains from £15.