The Brace of Pheasants

Reaching the Brace of Pheasants feels like an achievement in itself — the road narrows and dips through green hills before delivering you to the sleepy hamlet of Plush and this long, thatched inn. Inside, low beams, a proper fire and the easy hum of conversation set the tone. It is the kind of place walkers pour into after a day on the downs, boots muddy and appetites sharpened. Food is taken seriously without any fuss, and the surrounding valley invites a wander before or after. A Dorset classic that rewards those who seek it out.

A genuinely remote, beautifully preserved thatched inn in one of Dorset's prettiest hidden valleys — precisely the kind of find worth a proper detour.

• Weekend Escape
• Food Lovers
• Peace & Quiet
• Nature Lovers