Only seven miles from Exeter, this country pub is located in picturesque Thorverton, a delightful village in the heart of the Exe Valley. Serving a large selection of real ales and boasting a comprehensive range of inexpensive wines, the bar is cosy and inviting. The separate restaurant is comfortably furnished and tastefully decorated. There are also six en-suite letting rooms and a large south-facing garden, featuring one of the oldest wisterias in Devon.

The food here is classic British and all ingredients are sourced locally – a detailed list of farms is available. An added bonus is that all dishes, from the tasty starters to the mouth-watering puddings, are homemade on the premises. The comprehensive menu includes lamb shanks, venison and free-range chicken. There’s even a temperature guide on the menu to help you decide how you want your steak cooked – having been disappointed many times in the past, I was more than pleasantly surprised when my requested medium-rare steak was actually medium-rare. The specials board is imaginative, with dishes such as oxtail cooked in orange and red vermouth, and sea bream served on lemon-scented crushed potatoes with tarragon cream. There are also plenty of refreshingly unusual options for vegetarians.

The Thorverton Arms is a hidden gem in the heart of the Devon countryside, serving delicious food at reasonable prices in a relaxed setting – simply gorgeous.