Sign of the Angel, Lacock, Wiltshire

In the heart of the National Trust-owned village of Lacock - a jumble of medieval stone cottages and tiny shops. It is an easy stroll around the village to Lacock Abbey. Lacock itself is half an hour from the Cotswolds and Bath, plus Chippenham, with its links to London, is a ten-minute drive away. Lacock Abbey is a country house that pays tribute to early inventions in photography. The Red Lion is a convivial, traditional pub nearby.

By car: around 40 minutes from Bristol or Bath, 2 hours 30 minutes from London and 4 hours from Leeds. There is free parking nearby.

By train: trains to Chippenham run from Bath (11 minutes), Bristol (24 minutes) and London (1 hour 7 minutes). From Chippenham station, the hotel is a 10-minute taxi ride away. Book trains to Chippenham.

This attractive inn dates back to the 15th century. It is a beauty, with timbered walls and mullioned windows that lean over a flagstone passageway. Inside, old stone fireplaces stand out against sophisticated dark paint colours. A cottage-style garden has benches set beneath apple trees at the back.

Check-in takes place at the back of the inn and staff were generally on hand when you needed someone. This is, however, a restaurant-with-rooms, so do not expect a dedicated service. The waiting staff were knowledgeable about what they were serving and the building's history.

• Bar
• Two AA Rosette-awarded restaurant
• Residents' lounge
• Pet friendly
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

There are five characterful bedrooms. Beds are king-size or double and are comfy, with feather duvets and woollen throws. They come with Roberts digital radios but no televisions, which would spoil the ambience. Sounds from elsewhere in the inn can sometimes be heard. Bathrooms vary and are traditional in style.

Room types: Snug, Standard, Superior

Key amenities: ensuite bathrooms, duck and down feather bed linen, welcome tray with chef's homemade treats, tea and coffee-making facilities, radio, free Wi-Fi

The dinner menu offers a handful of pub favourites (albeit with a twist) alongside a selection of more inventive, artfully-presented dishes. Produce from local farmers and growers is accompanied by imaginative ingredients, such as nori seaweed and samphire. The set lunch is good value and there are artisanal soft drinks to try.

Restaurant: two AA Rosettes. Cosy atmosphere, refined British gastro-pub food. Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Afternoon tea £17pp, £24pp with champagne. Dinner mains from £18.