The Lion Inn

Just outside Chelmsford, Essex, this self-styled 'restaurant wit rooms' is the vision of local entrepreneur Clive ‘Spin’ Thomson, who a few years ago bought a rundown 15th-century pub and turned it into a big and busy restaurant with a set of boutique rooms and a very cool wedding venue attached. Its a unique place to eat, drink and to stay, with a big American-style bar vintage posters and salvaged artworks, a huge restaurant, good service and most importantly a set of comfortably and very well-priced boutique-style guest rooms for those who want  to stay overnight.

There are 23 rooms in all (8 of which are in the new extension), decorated in a contemporary style and equipped with wifi, Freeview TVs, air-conditioning, coffee- and tea-making facilities  and complimentary water. The larger Deluxe and Super Deluxe rooms have super-king-size beds and some have private patios or small balconies overlooking the pleasant gardens.

Downstairs, the bar and restaurant take in the beamed rooms of the original pub and spread across the large and airy main extension. It'’s a big space, and not the place for a quiet meal, but very convivial and popular – luckily, residents can book but others can’t, and it can get very crowded on a Saturday night or Sunday lunchtime.  The reason is the food is good, well-priced and varied, with a menu of pubby staples – fish-and-chips, burgers, steaks and homemade pies – supplemented by half dozen more adventurous specials that usually include a fish dish. Breakfasts are good too – a small buffet and an excellent Full English cooked to order.