The Dartmoor Union Inn - Holbeton

A one-time cider press and village union room, this sixteenth-century hostelry is reaping the benefits of a major revamp, and is now owned by the team from South Sands Boutique Hotel & Beachside Restaurant Salcombe. It has been stylishly and sympathetically reborn without sacrificing any of its local character - even though the interior is now a Country Living mix of deep leather sofas, piles of logs and wine racks.

Local produce is the kitchen's trademark and it shows in an eclectic range of dishes including, perhaps, skillet-roasted mussels with thyme and ginger, char-grilled loin of pork with black pudding mash or Devon Ruby sirloin with béarnaise sauce. To finish, there are West Country cheeses with homemade chutney, as well as desserts such as caramelised banana Tatin with clotted cream.

To top it all, the Dartmoor Union also has its own working microbrewery producing two ales, which are served in the bar alongside beers from other independent Devon breweries. The wide-ranging wine list is also well worth exploring.