Eat out while staying inn

Even the most demanding of gourmands would struggle to tire of London's endless eating opportunities. But sometimes it's good to cut loose and venture away from your usual stamping ground. There's something satisfying about jumping in the car and hitting the road to find a country pub serving top-notch food — in the past the only downside was having to stay sober to drive home. Thankfully, a growing number of gastro inn-keepers are now offering smart, boutique-style rooms. Here's our guide to the best rural restaurants with rooms, all within 60 miles of central London.

The Three Horseshoes
Radnage, Bucks
Miles from London: 40
Chef-Proprietor Simon Crawshaw has done his time in London (at The Connaught, Chez Nico and Le Gavroche) and visitors to his 18th-century inn will understand why he turned his back on the city for this perfect spot in the Chilterns.

His Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning menu (Michelin awards the Bib to small and moderately priced but high-quality restaurants) combines local produce with French flair. Try confit duck leg salad (£5.25), or sautéed veal rump with fondant potato (£15.95). The six en-suite rooms (£85-£145, including breakfast) feature flat-screen TVs and Molton Brown bath products. (01494 483273, the threehorseshoes.net)

The Hand And Flowers Marlow
Berkshire
Miles from London: 36
Tom and Beth Kerridge's pub is slightly removed from the crowds of Marlow, all the better for you to get to sleep in one of its luxurious suites (£140-£190, including breakfast). The Michelin-starred restaurant offers imaginative dishes. Try a salt cod Scotch egg with a sweet red pepper sauce (£6.50).
(01628 482277, thehandandflowers.co.uk)

Crazy Bear
Stadhampton, Oxfordshire
Miles from London: 54
The Crazy Bear won't leave you short of choice with its Thai and English menus. From the Thai menu, try fragrant steamed red snapper (£18.50) or slow-cooked Gressingham duck for two (£26) from the more traditional menu. Rooms (£125 to £210) range from lavishly decorated to minimalist and modern. You can also buy produce at the nearby Crazy Bear farm shop.
(01865 890714, crazybeargroup.co.uk)

The Black Boys Inn Hurley
Berkshire
Miles from London: 33
The Black Boys Inn is an unstuffy but grown-up restaurant in a pub and holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Weekly trips are made to the famous Rungis market, near Paris, and it also usea produce from closer to home. Try kiln-roast River Dart salmon with celeriac remoulade and beetroot (£6.50). The basic but attractive rooms (£85-£95, including breakfast) are a short distance from the pub.
(01628 824212, blackboysinn.co.uk)

The Vine House Paulerspury
Northamptonshire
Miles from London: 60
The Vine House is a labour of love for chef-owner Marcus Springett and wife Julie. The menu changes daily, so it's easy to keep the house promise of fresh, local and seasonal food with an English accent. The six rooms (£95, including breakfast) are comfortable and after a slap-up meal you'll just want to lie down.
(01327 811267, vinehousehotel.com)

The Talkhouse
Stanton St John, Oxfordshire
Miles from London: 57
Thatched roof, open fire, Bib Gourmand: what more could the escaping Londoner want from their bolthole? It has traditional, top-notch dishes in gastropub style — lamb shanks (£13.50), belly pork with scallops (£14.50) — and international flavours such as Thai-roasted sea bass (£14) and tempura vegetables (£11.50). The four bedrooms (£65, breakfast £10) surround a sunny terrace and in the morning they'll bring breakfast to your room.
(01865 351648, thetalkhouse.co.uk)