1. This morning I ate…freshly baked Challah bread plated made with eggs

2. Sweet or salty? Salty probably – even better with sweet caramel!

3. I can't do without…good fresh bread

4. Every day I have to have…a good cup of coffee, strong and black.

5. Vegetarian food is…as good as the ingredients put into it. Indian vegetarian great.

6. At parties you'll usually find me…in the kitchen!

7. If I was a biscuit I'd be... a Jammy Dodger because I'm quite a softy really

8. Don't judge me just because I eat…doner kebabs

9. The food experience I will never repeat is…I haven't been there yet!

10. When I start, I can't stop eating…Pringles

11. I spend too many hours to count in the kitchen every day.

12. Chicken sushi makes me feel queasy. No, just no!

13. I'm in food heaven when…I am in a really good authentic food market, anywhere from Morocco to Birmingham

14. I'm a bit weird because…I like angel delight

15. Desert island dish? Has to be a roast with a good piece of outdoor reared local pork

Moorland Garden Hotel

Lovely big dining area for formal eating and a colourful, quirky bar area dishing up great local beers and tasty specials.

Go for: Creedy Carver duck breast or roasted wood pigeon.

Kitley House Hotel

Favoured as a luxury wedding venue, but dining here is delectable too. Sounds fancy, but it's affordable and Sunday lunch is accompanied by a resident pianist.

Go for: Baked rack of Devon lamb or medallions of Cornish venison.

New Continental Hotel

Classic hotel in the heart of the city. Steve's Brasserie serves up hearty traditional fare and if you're in a hurry, there's the pre-dinner menu.

Go for: Slow cooked spiced pork belly or glazed shepherd's pie

Duke of Cornwall

There's plenty of history here and as winner of best hotel in The Herald's City and Waterfront awards, you can bet you're in for a good time. Top notch, locally sourced food and excellent cream teas.

Go for: Seared grey mullet with toasted almonds and purple sprouting broccoli or honey lazed Creedy Carver duck breast with seared frouis gras

Copthorne Hotel

Bentley's Brasserie is quietly making a name for itself as a place to go for fresh fish, an extensive a la carte menu and good wine list.

Go for: Pan-fried seared hake or butter-roasted chicken supreme.

It's National Roast Dinner Day - so where are the best places to get a roast dinner around Plymouth?

Here are our top 10...

The Brook Inn, Plympton St Maurice: Plated topside of beef from traceable local farmers with table service and individual veg and gravy portions

Rock Salt, Stonehouse Street: Goosefat roasted potatoes and beef sirloin

The Galley, inside the Maritime Inn, Barbican: Gluten-free alternative to roast dinner

The Lord High Admiral, Stonehouse Street, opposite Rock Salt: A great roast dinner for less than you can make it at home – lashings of homemade everything!

The Plymstock Inn, Plymstock: Locals' favourite carvery

The Miners Arms: Choice of five meats and veg is steamed to keep the flavour fresh

The China House, Sutton Wharf: Hand-carved selection of meats, loads of veg and gravy

The Bedford Hotel, Tavistock: Plated dinners with wholly locally-sourced meat and veg. Traditional and good-sized portions, formal but relaxed atmosphere

Toby Carvery Roborough:With generous portions and some of the best Yorkshire puddings in town, the Toby claims to be Plymouth's favourite carvery restaurant.

The Two Bridges Hotel, Dartmoor: Typical British roast using local produce. Very tradional in lovely setting

The Lord Louis, Plympton: Great value, family pub

Whether you are traipsing around Plymouth after your other half while shopping (sorry Mr D!) or swanning around the city centre on your lonesome, you need a pit-stop.

Cafés are a breed of their own and serve up anything from a pasty and mug of tea, to risotto with parmesan tuille.

Eating in independent cafés is a must if you're out and about, so here are five to chew on...

RUMPUS COSY, DERRY'S CROSS

A jewel in the West End, this is a funky, quirky space oozing cool.

Don't... think it's just for arty types. Tea and cake in a chilled-out space are very nice whatever your interests.

Do... give their full menu a go. This time of year it's bursting with autumn flavours.

Try... butternut squash risotto.

A TASKINHA, UNION STREET

A genuine Portuguese cafe which feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Don't... underestimate the coffee, it's strong and excellent value

Do... have a pastel de nata with the above.

Try... a vinho vert (green wine) if you're feeling cheeky!

JAKE'S CAFE, CORNWALL STREET

Fabulous service and consistently high standards – they've got a certificate of excellence!

Don't... be shy with the cheese.

Do... have a good walk after eating – the portions are massive.

Try... whatever you fancy, there's plenty to choose from. Jackets, breakfasts, melts.... just go for it!

THE GORGE CAFE, ROYAL PARADE

This is a Plymouth legend, with old--style booths and 'interesting' decor. Not for everyone but it's reminiscent of old-school cafes from your childhood.

Don't... be put off by the decor – it's quirky and, at the very least, a talking point.

Do... have chips with everything!

Try... a massive pasty with a steaming mug of tea.

MONTY'S, SOUTHSIDE STREET

Fresh local food, a relaxed atmosphere, and a fabulous way to start the weekend.

Don't... forget they are licensed.

Do... go for breakfast and stay a while.

Try... the eggy bread and bacon sandwich, with a gourmet coffee.

It's estimated us Brits spend an average of £2,500 per year on lunch – and there is plenty in Plymouth to choose from. A delicately-plated restaurant repast; golden, salted fish and chips on the Hoe; a perfectly flaky pasty; doorstep sarnies packed with fresh filling... essentially, there are no rules.

In a competitive marketplace and in the wake of Britain's renewed enthusiasm for home baking, Sam Pemberton and Laura Shaw conceived an idea to drive quality lunches to people – in a VW van.

The pair's aim was to raise the bar on workers' lunchtime munch and offer healthy homemade soups, fancy baked goods and delicious wraps, rolls and baguettes. And they're succeeding.

They're bowled over with the positive response from customers on their city rounds and have already had several corporate jobs where they dish up the quintessentially British tea party – and admit they're amazed by the feedback.

It's not because they don't believe in their food (I'm assured plenty quality control is done!), rather they are living the life they want to and doing what they love with their best mate.

Sam, 39, is a colourful, creative sort who "can't be a sheep" and Laura, 31, is a smiley, self-confessed "straight shooter".

What's obvious is both are very determined people, evidenced by the speed they got their project off the ground. From the initial concept to trading it's barely been four months.

"We got the idea in mid-July, since then it's been a whirlwind!" admits Laura.

They live next door to each other in Widewell, and both of their husbands are Navy servicemen posted in Scotland – which by itself isn't unusual. Thousands of service wives spend months away from their spouses – though hard, it goes with the territory.

What makes these women special is their determination to carve out a niche in the face of very challenging home lives – between them Sam and Laura have five children, each with a child on the autistic spectrum.

The pair bonded over their mutual love of old-fashioned baking and their shared situations.

"It was fate," Laura, who is originally from Falkirk, says of their miraculous meeting.

Sam agrees: "We've got lots in common. We have a laugh, we get on really, really well and our kids get on fantastically."

The difficulties of managing a business is a no-brainer, but add the trials of bringing up a unique child with very specific and individual needs, the demands of your other children, and for the majority of the year, doing it alone, and you've got a real challenge on your hands.

But Sam and Laura are made of strong stuff, and though the pair agree they've had to fight every step of the way for their children, it's a part of their daily life – they clearly adore their kids.

The overwhelming sense is these tight-knit women are very far from self-pitying – rather they are independent and strong.

"It's our normal," says Laura. "If you've met one person with autism, then you've only met one person with autism – every single child is unique. I call them super heroes."

Laura moved from Scotland while pregnant with middle child, Nathan, just as husband Graham was posted to Libya.

She quickly found a friend in Sam who had her own challenges with son J-J who is now 15.

"I've been where Laura is. You can go from nought to ten very quickly, there is no in between."

Laura nods: "It's never drama, though – because we are both in the same boat we can appreciate things come up suddenly, plus there's all the kids' specialist appointments.

"But that's the beauty of this business – it works around our lives."

Sam, who is Plymouth born and bred, agrees: "You need something for yourself other than being a mother and a wife. It's like being a single person a lot of the time – you marry The Navy.

"With our kids being autistic, every day is different so we needed something flexible."

We're meeting in Sam's dining room and the pair have decorated the table with frilly linens, doilies and an abundance of baked goodies.

They proudly wear Quirky Tea's T-shirts and their excitement is palpable – they admit to still pinching themselves everyday about their fledgling business.

Laura says: "I think having autistic kids you live in a bubble – you can't just going into town and do your shopping. All your stuff is done online because your kids can't deal with crowds.

"With Quirky Tea's we can get out and about. "It's not like having a job really!" says Sam.

And the apostrophe in Quirky Tea's?

"That's our extra slice," says Laura.

"We're both quirky, individual people," adds Sam, "We can rock it however we want!"

AWARD-winning burger chain HUBBOX this week opened its first restaurant in Plymouth.

The chain has created 21 jobs in the branch in Old Town Street, just outside Drake Circus shopping centre.

HUBBOX restaurant area is able to seat 72 with additional outdoor seating.

The location was scouted earlier this year by HUBBOX, which has wanted to expand the chain to Plymouth for some time. It already has restaurants in St Ives, Exeter, Truro and Pentewan Sands in St Austell.

Richard Boon, managing director of HUBBOX, said: "We wanted to move to Plymouth for a long time; it's a vibrant city with a huge amount going on – we want to be a part of that scene.

"The new restaurant has created jobs and we will continue to use our locally sourced ingredients for all our food.

"We are excited to be open in time for the Christmas period."

HUBBOX was recently named one of the top 100 eateries in the country by a leading national food magazine, and has become one of the South West's leading casual dining venues.

It's been a busy 12 months for Langdon Court Hotel head chef Jamie Rogers. He talks to Louise Daniel about lessons learned from BBC's MasterChef: The Professionals and his success at the South West Chef of the Year competition

Jamie Rogers is one of the youngest head chefs in the region, but it doesn't mean the 24-year-old is lacking the cooking chops to go up against some of the best professional chefs in the business.

He took over as head chef at Langdon Court Hotel 18 months ago and in the intervening months, he has gained two AA rosettes (he's tipped for a third in September) and made a concerted effort to bring the menu back to fine and classic British cuisine.

Awards have brought renewed confidence, maturity has reined-in some of his more complicated dishes and a triple win at the prestigious South West Chef of the Year competition has conquered a few demons, too.

Last year when we met, Jamie had a slightly embarrassing turn on MasterChef, where he was completely thrown by a challenging 'mystery box' and served fried rice to rather bemused Michelin-starred chef Marcus Waring and food expert Gregg Wallace.

Has he watched the footage since being on the show?

"I never look at it," he laughs, "but I'm enjoying the new one."

I imagine it's a little strange watching yourself on the box...

"You think something is a good idea at the time under the pressure and obviously it's not," he says, and admits time hasn't been much of a healer. Looking back I think, 'Oh, god, what was I doing?"

I can clearly remember watching it and thinking the same – he looked very flustered.

"I looked in the mystery box and nothing made sense. There were scraps and leftovers in it and I only use the best of everything here." I ask if he thinks it revealed his inexperience. "Yes," he replies, "with me another problem was that I'd never followed the programme."

He reached the quarter-finals – which he says was "still not bad" – but he wasn't happy with the outcome, adding: "I obviously messed up". He also points out his contemporaries in the quarter-final heat went on the final – with one eventually winning the BBC cookery show.

It's clear he learned invaluable lessons from the experience and is a better chef because of it. A year on, his confidence has grown, his cooking has matured and he's happy to have nailed his nemesis – the mystery-box challenge – to come out on top at the South West Chef of the Year competition.

At Exeter College he cooked under the watchful eyes of legendary chefs James and Chris Tanner, Michael Caines, Simon Hulstone, Peter Gorton, Paul Ainsworth and Neil Haydock (to name a few) and faced his nemesis with enthusiasm. Chris Tanner tells me Jamie was the "best performer on the day", which is why he won, but the idea of another secret set of ingredients must have been daunting.

"We had half-an-hour to come up with the menu and two-and-a-half hours to cook it. It sounds reasonable but it's not much time, especially when they all come and talk to you."

Jamie says he was confident he nailed the food, but an encounter in the car park with one of the judges made him question whether he was in with a chance of winning.

"At the end of the competition, as I was taking stuff to my car, Paul Ainsworth came up and said, 'I can't believe you are only 24, you're a massive talent, but if I could give you some advice for next year I'd say work tidier'."

Jamie tells me the 'next year' reference implied he'd missed out, but at the awards dinner the same night he made history by scooping the three top prizes: Best Menu, Best Professional and the coveted overall Chef of the Year accolade.

Though he will admit keeping things tidy under pressure wasn't easy at the competition, here at Langdon Court Hotel, away from the demands of a contest, the kitchen is pristine, relaxed and chilled out.

He says this in part because he has a great team to support him.

"I won't have ego in the kitchen and I've got a great brigade around me.

"I don't just tell them what to do – I still like to learn and jump on starters or mains – I let the boys do the pass – I go wherever I'm needed, I just love to cook."

Plymouth is a fantastic place to head out for office Christmas parties whether it is a lunch or dinner you want.

There is a huge variety of menus to choose from with cuisine from across the world, thanks to Plymouth's rich heritage and maritime culture.

Here are 13 killer Christmas party venues in Plymouth for work lunches and office parties.

WET WOK CHINESE RESTAURANT, Hoe Road

Traditional cuisine from across China and South East Asia, the recently ermodelled venue also offers special menues for occasions including Christmas and New Year.

SHIRLEY VALENTINES, New Street Taste of the Mediterranean with a venue calling itself Plymouth's only Turkish restaurant. The restaurant has created a spacial menu for Christmas 2015, which you can pre-order.

THE STABLE, Sutton Harbour One of Plymouth's newest restaurants with local fare alongside stunning pizzas and an amazing array of craft ciders to sample.

ROYAL CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB, Madeira Road Known for its Sunday Carvery, the yacht club offers a 'Winter Wonderland' theme for Christmas lucnhes and evenings out.

GANGES AND GURKHA, Bretonside British Curry Awards nominated Indian restaurant with a wide-ranging menu, See what's on offer online where you can also book.

ROSE & CROWN, Market Street, Yealmpton Humbly calling itslef a traditional village pub The Rosie offers a high-ed dining experience with a daily a la carte menu just five miles from the centre of Plymouth.

THE TREASURY, Royal Parade a great bar and a great place to eat - popular in the evenings and boasting the largest Christmas tree in Plymouth.

THE DOLPHIN HOUSE BRAZZERIE, Sutton Harbour Traditional British cuisine with an international flavour. The Dolphim Brazzerie won gold at Taste of the West 2015.

ARRIBAS, Notte Street Arribas and The Havana share one venue close to the centre of Plymouth and the Christmas menu, from November 27, includes traditional British as well as Mexican offerings with a wide vegetarian option.

CHLOES, Princess Street fine dining in the heart of Plymouth. Chloes is renowned for special events and has a reputation for fantastic wine knowledge.

POSITANO, Mayflower Street The Godfather of Italian restaurants in Plymouth, well known for traditional fare from across Italy served in a warm, welcoming environment.

BARBICAN STEAKHOUSE, Notte Street Great steak menu with a range of 'Man v Food' challenges and an impressive fish menu.

THE THAI HOUSE, Notte Street Serving Thai cuisine in Plymouth wince 1998 The Thai House is one of Plymouth's most well-known venues.

Louise Daniel talks with WYB Burger owner Stefan Piotrowski about perfect patties, working his way up at the Treby Arms and why the Army and hospitality aren't so different.

Like fashion, food trends come and go.

Thankfully, nouvelle cuisine and buttoned-up fine dining are (for most of us) distant memories, but some trends, like relaxed, sociable eating come back around and are improved upon and transformed.

It's fair to say food in the city is finally evolving in line with our desire for fine, drama-free food in pleasant surrounds. Forward thinking restaurateurs know diners should be treated as people, not numbers to be crunched and quickly pushed out the door.

Middle-ground eating is right at the cutting edge of this timely shift, and I include burger bars in the group.

Of course, burgers are so embedded in our eating-out culture they can hardly be called a trend and despite warnings to our health, are a global phenomenon, showing no signs of disappearing.

Juicy meat slapped between bread can be found in almost every culture across the world, with the tasty combo dating as far back as the invention of bread – and no wonder, it works.

2015's incarnations are – like it or not – of the 'gourmet' kind. But don't be put off by fancy names, essentially it's shorthand (or should be) for quality ingredients put together by people who care about what we put in our mouths.

Stefan Piotrowski's WYB Burger on Ebrington Street is a good example of this next generation of food hangout.

This little burger bar is right on the money – and I don't mean it's trendy or fashionable, though the benches, comic book decorated toilet and excellent pop art adorning the walls (by local artist Jason Pengelly) definitely make this a 'cool' hangout – but what WYB looks like is only part of the story.

Take a pew, order off the pleasingly short menu and you are treated to great burgers made from top quality local meat, served in Jacka Bakery rolls. You get juicy meat, a modest (but very good) selection of sides, including sweet potato fries, and great craft beers.

Very nice indeed.

Stefan Piotrowski greets me with a firm handshake – if the name is familiar, that's because his brother won MasterChef the professionals in 2011 – and being a gent, if he's bothered I'm very early, he doesn't say and treats me to a lovely cuppa.

Stefan left the Cavalry in 2012 where he worked his way up from front line trooper to warrant officer over a career spanning 24 years and more than half a dozen countries.

Since then he's been busy honing his hospitality management skills at the Michelin-starred Treby Arms and award-winning Springer Spaniel in Launceston owned by his brother.

"Anton asked me if I wanted to help him out and after 24 years it was time for me to leave the army. But being the boss's brother didn't mean any favouritism, plus Stefan genuinely wanted to learn.

"I started at the bottom and worked my way up to become assistant manager. I wanted to understand every aspect of the business."

"It was a big leap after the Army, but since we were children, Anton and I said we would run a pub together – even before he became a chef."

I ask if there are any similarities between the army and the restaurant business,

"I think there are. Certainly at the Treby.

"It's classically driven kitchen so there's lots of shouting and one focal point which is Anton. He's like the sergeant major with the rank structure below him, like the army. A word of command is shouted out and everybody answers immediately."

"Also there's also a lot of banter," he laughs.

Stefan tells me the main difference between the service and hospitality is the gender balance.

"You don't get many women on the front line. When I left I thought 'this'll be different and good'. It was probably easier dealing with soldiers than waitresses for a while," he laughs.

Stefan doesn't strike me as the sort of guy who lets the unknown phase him much – he clearly pays attention to detail and has made it his business to understand every aspect of the trade.

In the year before leaving the army, Stefan ran the officer's mess in Germany.

"They had five courses and it was black tie, silver service so I had fine dining experience."

He even served royalty.

"I was in charge of the chicken Caesar salad recipe for Prince Philip. We were told his request in advance and there was a tasting process. Of course, everything had to be rehearsed and absolutely perfect."

Stefan was also an instructor at Bovington and taught students to drive and maintain Challenger 2 tanks.

"Prince Harry was on his troop leaders course while I was there and I took him for one of his final assessments. He was a nice guy, very down to earth. I just treated him like any other soldier who's in uniform – he was there to learn, there are no airs or graces."

Simple, honest and straightforward certainly seems to be the WYB Burger way – is that Stefan's 'comfort zone'? "Yes it is," he says "high quality but rustic and relaxed."

Have you got a food story you want to tell? Contact me @LDanielPlym

An all-new Christmas Craft and Food Market is transforming the heart of Plymouth.

Plymouth City Centre is set to be a fabulous festive shopping scene packed with everything you need to up the seasonal ante and get in the mood for Christmas.

he brand new Christmas Craft and Food Market, organised by Plymouth City Centre Company, opens on on Thursday at 10am.

The market offers a wide selection of food producers and independent businesses selling everything from traditional Christmas puddings to tasty mulled wine, fantastic unique gift ideas to stocking fillers for all the family.

Jon Walton, City Centre Company Manager said: "For me, food and gifts are two of the most important parts of Christmas and this year's new Christmas Craft and Food Market will not disappoint.

"Not only will there be a huge array of choice but the heart of the city centre is going to be transformed into a Christmas village!

"I am looking forward to the aroma of warming mulled wine and freshly baked mince pies, as well as topping up on some of my favourite local produce to take home."

Each stall is a traditional log cabin which transforms the city centre into a market scene similar to ones seen in popular Christmas market destinations like Prague or Berlin.

Every cabin will be decorated with sparkling Christmas lights and traditional garlands, reflecting the main Christmas lights around the city centre.

Local trade fayre organiser and founder of 'All things Vintage and Lovely', Miss Ivy Events has teamed up with the market to offer a selection of quirky and unique gifts, one of which may be just right for a family member or friend for Christmas.

Taste of the West is back and partnering with the event to provide impressive, mouth-watering and tempting dishes. There will be enticing fresh smells, tastes and sights to will set the senses tingling, from local food producers.

Chutneys, roasted chestnuts and the sweet scent of freshly made crepes and waffles will be warming the heart of Plymouth's city centre, enticing everyone to join in with the Christmas spirit. Exhibitors such as the South Devon Chilli Farm, The Wonky Kitchen, Riverford Organic Farms and Godminster Cheeses will be bringing their specialist artisan produce to the market too.

Holly Reynolds, Assistant City Centre Company Manager, said; "The Christmas Craft and Food Market is not one to be missed! With so much to choose from, you will have plenty of gifts to buy and extras to add to your Christmas dinner! With days to go, make sure you come on down for a Christmas market like no other!"

"Christmas is a great time for crafts people to show off their products, so expect to see plenty of handpicked artists selling unique gifts and decorations and high quality and interesting food and drink producers. So, there is no reason for you not to come down to Plymouth's new Christmas Craft and Food Market, where you will be able to find something for everyone!"

The market will be in Plymouth until Sunday 6 December and will be open daily from 10am. Trading will finish at 5.30pm Monday to Fridays, except for Thursdays when late night shoppers will be able to visit the market until 9pm. Saturdays it will remain open until 6pm and Sundays 4pm.

For more information about the Christmas Craft and Food Market go to www.visitplymouth.co.uk/christmas.

The city is packed with plenty of watering holes offering the best in quick snacks, light bites and cracking coffee, writes Louise Daniel.

Everyone has a favourite, but here's five to get your teeth into.

ARTFRAME GALLERY CAFE

Table service, an extensive menu and you're surrounded by art.

Don't... Think you can only grab a great coffee.

Do... Browse for a unique gift.

Try... Fish pie or barbecue chicken skewers.

DOWNTOWN DINER, PLYMOUTH CITY MARKET

Fresh feeling and in among the bustle of market life.

Don't... Walk past, grab a booth.

Do... Have a hot chocolate.

Try... a slice of cake or a pasty.

CAFE ROMA, ARMADA WAY

Don't... Forget this is al fresco eating.

Do... Take a breather from city centre shopping and stay a while.

Try... An amazing doorstep sarnie or jacket spud.

TASTIES CAFE, PLYMOUTH, CITY MARKET

Don't... Forget they are upstairs.

Do... Get a steaming mug of tea or coffee.

Try... An all-day breakfast.

FOODIE, CORNWALL STREET

Homemade, simple and delicious Polish food.

Don't... Think they're expensive, this is a good value place for a pit stop.

Do... Remember they are licensed.

Try... The chicken soup or the pancakes.

We know you've got a favourite city cafe let us know who you'd like to see online? @LDanielPlym or 01752 293103

The 'Downton Abbey' effect has led to a surge in bookings for shooting breaks at an Exmoor hotel.

Dunkery Beacon Country House Hotel near Dunster has seen a 20% increase in bookings for traditional shooting breaks since the airing of the last series of the popular period drama.

The latest series featured an episode showing Lord Grantham's country shooting parties.

Co-owner of the luxury hotel and award-winning chef, John Bradley, said that Downton depicts the kind of Edwardian lifestyle that was available to the higher echelons.

It is believed the hotel was a hunting lodge during that period too.

Mr Bradley said: "Across the country there has been a surge in interest in shooting, up 30% I understand from numerous reports, and we're also experiencing greater demand for country sports weekends here on Exmoor. "These days you don't have to be landed gentry to participate.

Many of our guests say their interest has been triggered by Lord Grantham and the various other characters' country shooting parties as depicted in the programme."

John, who is a leading chef with more than 25 years' experience in catering, co-runs Dunkery Beacon Country House in the chocolate-box village of Wootton Courtenay with his wife Jane.

John said: "Exmoor also has a stunning coastline of great cliffs, the highest in England, and beaches and bays reaching out to the Bristol Channel.

"It's a popular spot for people looking to do country pursuits too, and it always has been down the years, and we're definitely seeing the knock on effect of the huge popularity of Downton."

But it's not just the landscape and the sports that are a big attraction, the Bradleys offer a bit of foodie heaven too with seasonal dishes including Exmoor honey, eggs, pork and even offers Exmoor roasted coffee and blended tea.

John said: "The scenery is very dramatic and the history of the area, the nostalgia, is also very compelling and attractive. It's quite a draw. You can step back in time, relax and enjoy a slower pace of life – there's plenty of Downton-esque charm to be had in nearby Dunster too."