Tarr Farm Inn, Exmoor
In the summer months, Tarr Steps fills with families and visitors who come to cross the medieval clapper bridge over the River Barle. But in winter the forest is peaceful, with lovely walks to the picturesque village of Dulverton. The Tarr Farm Inn - just off the Steps - dates back to the 17th century and has nine comfortable rooms with soft bathrobes and Egyptian cotton, home-made biscuits and fresh milk on the tea tray. Enjoy hearty dinners of chermoula-spiced scallops and a Somerset rack of lamb, with cream tea until 5pm every day as a reward for a brisk walk.
Doubles from £90 B&B; tarrfarm.co.uk
The Bath Arms, Wiltshire
In the small village of Horningsham, opposite the green, stands the Bath Arms. Built in 1736 on the Longleat Estate, it remains a wonderfully peaceful place to unwind. The cozy bar offers a range of local ales, while the candlelit restaurant serves seasonal Wiltshire produce, including meat and game straight from the estate. With 16 bedrooms, the service, like the food, is impeccable. The pub has recently been acquired by the Beckford Group, owners of several other acclaimed West Country pubs. Relax in the new Bramley Spa Cabin, or take a short walk through a stone archway to the beautiful Elizabethan Longleat House and safari park. Or venture a little further afield and visit the glorious 18th century classical gardens of Stourhead.
Doubles from £140 B&B; batharmsinn.com
The Merry Sportsman, East Sussex
No one has ever come across the Jolly Sportsman, hidden away down elevated country lanes in the quiet hamlet of East Chiltington, but despite its rural location this isolated, comfortable foodie pub with rooms is one of the best in East Sussex. On wintry days, the fire-lit dining rooms - with sleek leather chairs in bottle green and plum and heavy oak furniture - are wonderfully cozy, serving a menu of inventive but hearty classics: smoked beef croquettes, Sussex venison or locally caught fish. The four bedrooms are fresh and comfortable, dogs are welcome and there are countryside walks from the door.
Doubles from £140 B&B; thejollysportsman.com
The story continues
The Jack Russell Inn, Hampshire
Ideal for a winter walking weekend, The Jack Russell has undergone major restoration work in recent years, with sleek wood paneling and deep blue tones in the buzzing bar areas and 11 chic bedrooms spread between the pub and the adjacent Dog House lodge. It is part of the 4000 acre Faccombe Estate and there are walks from the door to the North Wessex Downs AONB and nearby attractions including Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey). After a day of exploring, return for a cozy dinner using many ingredients sourced from the estate to create a varied menu ranging from Asian-cured sea bream to savory pies and sinfully good desserts.
Doubles from £140 B&B; thejackrussellinn.com
The West Arms, North Wales
A 16th century inn in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, hidden in the unspoilt Ceiriog Valley, this is a true rural retreat, with stunning views of the Berwyn Mountains, surrounded by lush, rolling hills. The rooms in the old part of the inn have original oak beams and whitewashed stone walls. The award-winning restaurant focuses on local ingredients, with a good selection of Welsh gins and locally brewed beers available in the fireplace-lit bar.
Doubles from £165 B&B; thewestarms.com
The Creggans Inn, Argyll
Spectacular winter sunsets are standard at the Creggans on the shores of Loch Fyne, with many of the bedrooms offering views over the tranquil waters of the loch. Food is an important part of a stay here, with MacPhunns Bar and Bistro serving Scottish classics including Cullen Skink and steamed Loch Fyne mussels, with daily specials made from the finest local, seasonal produce. The nearby village of Strachur has good walking trails and some of Scotland's best castles, including Inverarary and Old Castle Lachlan, are within easy reach.
Doubles from £139 B&B; creggans-inn.co.uk
Joiners Arms, Northumberland
Combine blustery walks on Northumberland's spectacular beaches with cozy afternoons by the fire at the Joiners, a surprisingly luxurious inn tucked away in the quiet village of Newton-by-the-Sea. Accommodation ranges from rooms above the pub - with wooden beans, Juliet balconies and bathtubs - to two quirkily styled cottages and a shepherd's hut with outdoor hot tub, a cute retreat for two. In the evening the pub comes alive with tables full of guests tucking into classic Chippy Teas, steak frites or North Sea crab, with a good children's menu and activities list to keep them busy. Dunstanburgh Castle and the picturesque fishing village of Craster are a short drive away.
Doubles from £155 B&B; joiners-arms.com
The Timble Inn, Otley, West Yorkshire
Escape to the tranquility of the Washburn Valley - one of the least known of the Yorkshire Dales - and base yourself at Timble, an 18th-century coaching inn that makes the perfect winter retreat. The nine bedrooms exude cocoon-like comfort, with pocket-sprung beds, Egyptian linen, fluffy bathrobes and a well-stocked tea tray, and the restaurant serves modern British cuisine: pickled mackerel with seaweed sourdough, roast venison loin with pine and chestnut crumble - in addition to a self-contained vegan menu. The Nidderdale AONB is on Timble's doorstep, with walks for everyone from serious walkers to Sunday afternoon strollers, and Harrogate is just 9 miles away.
Doubles from £132 B&B; thetimbleinn.co.uk
The Duncombe Arms, Staffordshire
A sleek gastropub with Colefax and Fowler wallpaper, Bamford products and sumptuous fabrics in the 10 individually decorated bedrooms and a charming fire-lit bar complementing the more modern dining room. Situated on the edge of the Peak District, great walks, fishing on the River Dove and water sports on Carsington Water are all close by, as is the pretty market town of Ashbourne, known for its antique shops. Back at base, the regularly changing menus have won a Michelin Bib Gourmand, with the twice-baked Staffordshire cheese soufflé an unmissable treat.
Doubles from £195 B&B; duncombearms.co.uk
Checkers Inn, Derbyshire
A stone's throw from Froggatt Edge, a spectacular escarpment that offers some of the best views in the Peak District, the Checkers is a pleasantly traditional inn. Built in 1735, it has seven simple rooms (no dogs) and a refreshing bar, without gastronomy, with a roaring fire, walls strewn with photos and a wooden grandfather clock. The menu specializes in hearty dinners, with good vegetarian options including blue cheese and shallot frangipane pie, and pumpkin and artichoke lasagna. On rainy days, Chatsworth, Haddon Hall and Eyam are all within a 10-minute drive, while Bakewell and Buxton are also within easy reach.
Doubles from £130 B&B; checkers-froggatt.com.
