Timbrell's Yard

You’re close to the bridge with beautiful views across the river to the churchyard. Outside, a terrace at the front catches the sun, with this 18th-century listed building standing grandly behind. It’s a lovely spot, good enough for Samuel Spode to paint; a copy of his work hangs here, the real thing waits in the town’s museum.

Inside, you get that winning combination of restful rooms, lovely food and well-kept ales, with cakes and coffee available all day. You’ll find stripped floors, hanging lamps, exposed stone walls, then sofas in front of an open fire. Helpful staff weave about, delivering food that makes you smile, perhaps Dorset crab on toast, pork belly with sea salt crackling, vanilla panna cotta with rhubarb jelly.

Most of the bedrooms have river views, two have baths in the room, mezzanine doubles have window seats where you can watch the river pass. Walk, swim, kayak, wander the town with its ancient buildings.