Wiltshire, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

“One of Rick Stein’s smarter outposts” – this centrally located outpost of the celeb chef family’s empire occupies a period building on the high street, and is a useful option in this surprisingly thinly provided area, including for “a business chat with friends”. Limited but positive feedback this year on its cooking, although the indication is that it’s “very decent”.

Australian Dan Bond’s unpretentious restaurant, which gained an outdoor marquee in covid times, is a real local hit; “you know everyone will like the food, you know it will be fair value” and “you know they’ll work their socks off to give you a good time”….“plus, Dan’s just a good bloke”, so “how could it not be everyone’s favourite?” Top Tip – “their occasional wine dinners are great fun too”.

“‘Old school’ dining… perhaps a bit stuffy, but the food’s good” – the dining room of this well-known luxury spa hotel has had, since 2006, chef Hywel Jones at the stoves. You can eat à la carte for £110 per person for three courses, or there’s an eight-course tasting menu for £140 per person, and the deft cuisine won nothing but praise this year. “The wild and woody setting of The Estate and the slightly faded grandeur of The House just make it a rather special place to stay” and it’s also praised for a “delicious afternoon tea in beautiful, elegant surroundings”.

2023 Review: This “traditional market town coaching inn” is a “real delight” – offering “great service” and “tasty, inventive food” which makes good use of “excellent locally sourced meat and exceptional vegetables”. Top Tip – “top Sunday lunch”.