The Star Inn

One local who has been frequenting Andrew Pern’s country inn for more than 50 years now feels like part of the family, making new friends along the way while being ‘treated like royalty’. Pristinely re-thatched and restored, the Star still hides more than seven centuries of history behind its thick stone walls, while its warren of beamed rooms is home to a collection of hand-crafted furniture. The bar is always buzzing with drinkers, while the serious culinary action takes place in the restaurant extension. The ‘rich man, poor man’ starter (pan-fried foie gras paired with grilled black pudding) is rightly renowned as a signature dish, although the carte and tasting menus are stuffed with fulsome, richly flavoured delights – consider pan-roasted halibut with roast hazelnut pease pudding, homemade blood sausage and smoked bone cream. To conclude, carefully matured cheeses and desserts also play with the local theme – Yorkshire strawberry and white chocolate parfait with wild strawberry sorbet and heather-honey syrup, say. Wine pairings have been thoughtfully chosen, and the full list includes ample drinking by the glass.