Part of the Youngs Group, but The Carnarvon Arms is anything but a cookie cutter chain pub. This Grade II listed coaching inn is a stunner, sitting in on the outskirts of Newbury and in the shadow of Highclere Castle – home to Earl and a Lady Carnarvon and the architectural star of Downton Abbey.

This former coaching inn has recently undergone a full renovation. Rather than being country pub paint by numbers, they have injected, colour, personality and lots of interesting artwork alongside traditional pieces of furniture, roaring fires and oak beams. The result is fresh and modern without losing its country pub DNA. The 18 bedrooms are due to renovated this year so watch this space.

The main dining area is a wood beamed dream. Whether your fancy a light bite or you’re sinking your teeth into the full three courses, you’ll find a good variety of crowd-pleasing dishes to tickle the fancy of the fussiest of eaters. Outside, there are heated wagons to the front (despite its proximity to the road, the noise is not intrusive) and a lawned garden to the rear for the use of The Carnarvon Arms’ overnight guests and private parties. If you’re planning a laidback wedding reception or special occasion bash the flexible spaces and rooms makes party planning a breeze.

With Highclere Castle just a hop skip and a jump down the road, the pub has seen many famous faces come through their doors. Many of Downton Abbey‘s cast have stayed here and turn the clock back even further and Poet Laureate Lord Tennyson and General Eisenhower have all visited. The pub was also previously owned by bad boy chef Marco Pierre White. If you’re looking for a base camp to explore, it’s a goodie. There are plenty of walks, Highclere Castle (obvs), Newbury Racecourse, Bombay Sapphire Distillery and Marwell Zoo are all nearby.