The Candover

The Candover Valley is becoming one of Hampshire's more interesting rural pockets, with vineyards, independent producers and The Grange Festival scattered through its villages and countryside. At its heart, in Preston Candover, a handsome 16thcentury coaching inn has been completely restored as The Candover: pub, restaurant and ten-bedroom country stay.

A proper bar and open fires is at its heart, while the dining room takes thing up a notch with white tablecloths and French windows opening onto the gardens. Head Chef Oli Abbott, formerly of The Pig at Brockenhurst, cooks with the seasons, making good use of the open grill and produce from Hampshire and beyond.

There is plenty of local interest in the glass of sparkling wine too. Candover Book English sparkling wine comes from the regenerative vineyard just five minutes away, while Candover Best is brewed in Hampshire especially for the pub. Of course, these among an extensive drinks list.

The old stables now house a private dining room for 20, where the oak dining table rather brilliantly converts into a full-size snooker table.

Upstairs, the ten individually designed bedrooms take their names from Jane Austen characters - a nod to the author's Hampshire connections. Austen was born at nearby Stevenson and later lived and wrote at Chawton. Two family suites have private terraces overlooking the gardens.