The Hare and Hounds

Kingskerswell is one of those lucky villages that looks good in any weather. It also has the advantage of a great location (equidistant between Newton Abbot and Torquay) and facilities - the fantastic Hare and Hounds for starters. The team here have thought of everything. In the colder months there is the vibrant restaurant, bar and family room with a large plasma screen showing children's television programmes. When it is warm you'll be heading for the award-winning alfresco dining area, adorned with a colourful display of summer flowers, where you can watch the children play safely on the fantastic Jungle Gym apparatus - it seems they fully understand family dining here. All this and I haven't mentioned the food. Not only is there an inspired à la carte menu - including such treats as Cajun chicken Caesar salad, and lamb fillets caramelised with mint, Demerara sugar and grain mustard, with a redcurrant and garlic jus - but there is also the award-winning carvery. Delicious, plentiful and fresh, it exceeded expectations and, at £10.50 (£5.95 for kids), it is great value. The policy here is to use as many local ingredients as possible and, when you're in Devon, there's plenty to choose from: locally reared duck and pork, just-caught fish, fresh vegetables, local cheeses, chutneys, ciders and beers - all are used lovingly and with inspiration