The Castle Inn

They don't make them like this anymore - pubs or landladies. This is a genuine heart-of-the-community traditional pub, run by the most warm-hearted, enthusiastic person you could ever hope to meet. Singlehandedly running and subtly renovating this jewel of a pub, Sandy has already created a fabulous outdoor space in the walled garden, with a large undercover area and a lovely play corner for the children. It has the advantage of being completely enclosed, so your little ones (and the dogs too) are totally safe while you relax with your drinks. A barbecue area is on the cards too, which will make The Castle Inn just about the perfect place to be on a leisurely weekend.

During the week, traditional and simple light lunches are offered, made with the best available local produce. Tuck into a tasty Cornish pasty or enjoy a filling ploughman's lunch with a pint, before a leisurely country walk through nearby Tring Park. We were lucky enough to visit at the weekend and so were treated to a freshly cooked, steaming hot Sunday roast beef - served with crispy roast potatoes, perfectly cooked vegetables and just about every trimming you can imagine, and delivered at an unbelievably good price. If you have a couple of hours to spare on a Sunday (or any day for that matter), you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere better than this to spend it - The Castle Inn is a total winner.