An inn and eatery filled with history, The Natterjack is everything you could wish for from a countryside pub. Its name comes from the old cider house where the pub would brew cider, complete with a toad plugged into each barrel to ‘clean’ the cider. Each year the toad would be caught and reused – albeit probably a little on the woozy side. The Cider House is now home to the inn’s accommodation (including a disabled-friendly room) and the original cider press can still be seen in The Natterjack’s beautifully kept gardens.

The food at The Natterjack is simply gorgeous. On our visit I began with creamy breaded Somerset Camembert with red onion marmalade and my dining partner had an equally delicious ham hock terrine with homemade chutney which, as well as having a great texture, tasted fresh and healthy. Following this, our charming and attentive waitress served me a delightful dish of whole roasted poussin served with summer vegetables, chorizo, new potatoes and a classic jus. My dining partner chose scrumptious fish covered with crispy batter and served with fresh garden peas and herb-roasted new potatoes. Dessert was just as impressive: a vanilla creme brulée with melt-in-the-mouth cinder toffee and fresh strawberries. Across the table a bowl of fragrant orange sorbet was eagerly lapped up. So, one word of advice, make sure you go with an empty stomach because you will certainly want to indulge in a full three-course meal. Open: Mon-Sat