Hotel du Vin & Bistro - Tunbridge Wells

Like many of the sites chosen by the Hotel du Vin group, the Tunbridge Wells outlet occupies a landmark building - in this case an eighteenth-century, Grade II-listed sandstone mansion that once played host to the young Queen Victoria.

These days, an air of clubby exclusivity and easy-going luxury pervades the place. The bistro dining room has its own special character with flickering candles on dark wooden tables and walls festooned with apt wine pictures; there are lovely views across Calverley Park from the terrace, and guests can play boules if they wish.

The menu follows a trusted formula, with 'Simple Classics' like Morecambe Bay potted shrimps and char-grilled ribeye steak with béarnaise sauce augmenting a line-up of dishes like seared scallops with roasted celeriac purée and gremolata, confit of duck with pack choi and red wine jus, and lemon mousse layered with blueberry compote.

The wine list is a real corker - as you might expect from the Hotel du Vin group - and sommeliers are always on hand to guide you through the fascinating assortment of top-class bottles from around the globe.