There are few more inviting sights in Britain than a proper thatched pub. The Chubby Castor is a fine example, a 400-year-old village inn whose chocolate-box exterior belies its more modern, bright and somewhat glitzy interior design that stretches from a smart lounge into the intimate, linen-laid dining room. The cooking, overseen by experienced chef-owner Adebola Adeshina, is centred around time-honoured recipes that deliver on flavour. For dessert, look out for the wonderful Firetree chocolate with peanuts and caramel.