The Compasses Inn Hotel

Wiltshire, England

Set in the heart of the Nadder Valley, this 14th-century inn was first built to offer respite to traders journeying from Poole to Birmingham. Nowadays, it offers R&R for city dwellers, avid ramblers and those who successfully manage to navigate the hairpin bends on these glorious country roads. On arrival, we are shown to Room 3, just above the main pub. With a distinctive Scandi feel, it is as bright and crispy as the country air outside. A tray of raspberry and white chocolate cookies comes as standard: equally as marvellous are the huge rainforest shower (equipped with Bramley products) and marshmallow-soft bed. Next door, we settle in at a snug candlelit table next to a roaring fire beneath wooden beams. A ‘barter board’ invites patrons to ‘bring in fish, game and produce for the kitchen in exchange for bar credit’, some of which features on the menu in the form of chestnut soup and beef from local farmer Jeremy. Gloucester Old Spot pork belly cooked in soy and ginger with a bonito spinach is superb. Charles Macleod’s black pudding was star of the show at breakfast – the perfect fuel for taking on those roads to get home.

Doubles from £90. thecompassesinn.com