36 on the Quay Hotel

Hampshire, England

Another spot that often gets overlooked (at least on the food front), Hampshire has a few places that should make you think again before heading further west or east. One of them, 36 on the Quay, sits at the water’s edge in the fishing village of Emsworth. This grade-II listed quayside cottage facing the bay has just four rooms, three with harbour views, one over the millpond and boat, but they all have everything you need for a comfy overnight or weekend stay.

On the menu, there’s plenty to get excited about, be it an indulgent starter of hand-dived scallops with caviar butter, scallop tartare with buttermilk and raspberries, or a main of Japanese A5 kobe or Australian wagyu. The team have Michelin credentials, and it shows throughout, but then, great meat and fish is, for want of a better phrase, their bread and butter. You can, if you prefer, just keep it classic with market fish with crispy potato, peas and tartare sauce, or a loin of lamb with sweetbreads, onion, wild garlic and lamb jus, then round things off with a rhubarb and custard dessert. They also do very reasonable set menus with two courses at £26.95 and three at £30.95, Tuesday-Thursday. Put simply, they know what people want here: good food, good location and good rooms.

Doubles from £150. 01243 375592, 36onthequay.com