Bedford Arms

This cosy relaxed place is given real heart by its lively welcoming licensees, and with its few chatty regulars settled into the bar chairs by the counter (which has Black Sheep, Greene King IPA and Phipps Red Star on handpump alongside a guest such as Hopping Mad Brainstorm and several wines by the glass) there's no doubting its pubbiness. There are just a few more seats in this small low-beamed area, including a couple of tables in one very low-ceilinged snug hutch of an alcove. The cottagey dining area has more low beams (one way through is potentially a real head-cracker) and a central fireplace - and, like the rest of the pub, broad floorboards, shelves of china, and original artwork (for sale). In the evenings and at weekends, the roomy mansard-ceilinged public area (once a brew house) perks into life, with well placed hood skittles, darts and board games; it has a big inglenook fireplace, and opens on to a neat garden with pretty flower borders. The landlady is fond of her pets - look out for Poky the cat and, out in the garden, JD and Gin and Tonic the rabbits.