The Half Moon Inn, BA8 0EF (5 mins drive)
Less than 2 miles away, this is our closest pub… A classic, traditional village pub with a warm welcome from Andrew the landlord. The beer is excellent and the menu has been revamped recently). It is 20 minutes walk west from the cottage along a lovely quiet marsh lane so very good if you don’t want to drive.

The Lovington Bakery, BA9 9LD (10 mins drive)
A relatively new kid on the block in Wincanton, a bakery that opens at 7am serves delicious breakfasts and light lunches and closes at 4pm.  Perfect if you can’t face shopping.  We are in an ongoing dialogue as to whether their Lovington Bun beats the Cinnamon Bun. Discuss. 

Workshop at Bootmakers, BA9 9LJ (10 mins drive)
Delicious home-made pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven. Superb value and set in a creative workshop in Wincanton so children can make art while they wait. It really is wonderful. BYOB

The Stapleton Arms, SP8 5HS (10 mins drive)
We highly recommend this. It is a short drive from the farm to Buckhorn Weston and is run by a collective of young staff who seem to really enjoy their work. The food is excellent gastro pub (great pea risotto). They have boules and other games in the fine garden. Call 01963 370396 to book a table.

Kimber’s Farm Shop, BA9 8HD (15 mins drive)
This farm shop has recently opened a café and restaurant. Cooked using local produce, this is a good option for a light meal.     

The Newt in Somerset, BA7 7NG (15 mins drive)
Owned by South African Koos Becker, this place really is stunning and has affordable, excellent locally sourced food at three different eating places overlooking beautiful gardens. Food is modern British, and the wine is South African (from the owner’s South African estate). You have to pay a fee to get in so don’t just go to eat…

At the Chapel, (20 mins drive)
This is a fab restaurant with classy modern food in Bruton High Street, served by glamorous staff. It has a bakery, wood-fired pizza, a winestore, a clubroom and is the heart and soul of good living for a 30 mile radius. You will definitely have to book if you want a table there other than midweek lunchtime (and even that has been known to be heaving). 

The Bull Inn, BA10 0LN (20 mins drive)
Run by the same time as Roth Bar and Grill (see below), this appears to be a traditional English pub, but as ever with the Roth Bar team, it’s all been given something of a tweak. Excellent.

Plume of Feathers, DT9 3LN (20 mins drive)
Situated directly opposite the beautiful Sherborne Abbey, the Plume of Feathers is gaining a reputation for excellent food, and good value. Its unpretentious exterior is deceiving (it looks like a traditional pub) but the food is modern Italian.  We recommend the Arrancini. 

The Queens Arms, DT9 4LR (20 mins drive)
Another solid gastro-style pub in the pretty village of Corton Denham. Great drinks and delicious local food.

Roth Bar and Grill, BA10 0NL (20 mins drive)
Run by the wonderful Jules and Chef Steve Horrell, this is an excellent, relaxed restaurant within the Hauser & Wirth contemporary art gallery in Bruton.  They have a fantastic approach to food all in beautiful surroundings. Everything they cook is sourced from within 5 miles and the butter is produced “in house”.  Amazing cocktails using borage and ginger.  The first and last Friday of the month they have music (DJ mainly) events on Friday evenings but best to check.  Serves our cheese Renegade Monk so it must be good.  Check the programme online.