Vine Tree

With so much to do and see nearby (from Westonbirt Arboretum and other fine gardens and houses to race courses and the county's official cycle route), it's not surprising that this well run pub is always pretty busy; they host all sorts of events, too. Three neatly kept little rooms open into each other, with aged beams, some old settles and unvarnished wooden tables on the flagstone floors, big cream church altar candles, a woodburning stove at one end of the restaurant and a large open fireplace in the central bar and limited edition and sporting prints; look out for Clementine, the friendly and docile black labrador. Butcombe Bitter and St Austell Tinners and a guest like Stonehenge Pigswill or Uley Bitter on handpump, 48 wines by the glass including sparkling wines and champagne (and they have their own wine shop, too), and quite a choice of malt whiskies and armagnacs. There are picnic-sets and a children's play area in a two-acre garden plus a pretty suntrap terrace with teak furniture under big cream umbrellas, and an attractive smoking shelter.