Lincoln, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

Chef Gavin Aitkenhead and FOH Samantha Tomkins continue to preside over this well-known destination, occupying the second oldest house in the country (circa 1170). Feedback is limited but upbeat, saying “prices have gone up a notch this year… but so has the quality”. Menus are very focused: the three-course option, available early week till Thursday has a couple of options at each stage for £88 per person, or there are four-course and six-course tasting menus always available for £99 and £125 per person respectively.

Things look cute and ivy-clad on the outside, and properly quirky on the inside (copper kettles hang from the eaves, there’s comedy taxidermy and, most dramatically, an 18 feet-deep well between the lounge and restaurant), at this gastroboozer in one of the villages on the outskirts of Lincoln. The British pub grub (steak and ale pies, Grimsby-landed haddock) is largely locally sourced and was soundly rated.